DOT revises national electric vehicle program to accelerate infrastructure projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has updated the guidance for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. The revised guidelines follow the administration’s close review of the Biden-era program earlier this year in an effort to improve efficiency and ensure funding is delivered and facilitates construction.

The revisions will further enhance the NEVI program’s efficacy in providing critical funds to expand the nation’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure network. At the time of the review, approximately 84% of the program’s available funding was unallocated, according to DOT officials.

The Interim Final Guidance issued by DOT will require states to submit their EV Infrastructure Deployment Plans within 30 days, effective Aug. 11. The update is intended to help streamline applications, enhance flexibility for states and remove restrictions imposed by the previous administrations on qualifying projects.

DOT updated the NEVI Program’s language to better align with the current administration’s policies and efforts to eliminate EV mandates and policies that impaired project deliverability. Some of the major changes featured in the revision include:

• Shrinking state plan content to statutory and regulatory requirements only.
• Simplifying the plan approval process.
• Aligning community engagement with regulatory requirements.
• Accelerating project progress by reducing consultation requirements.
• Giving states additional flexibility to determine the appropriate distance between stations along alternative fuel corridors.
• Streamlining project delivery by promoting charging stations where station owners are also the site host.
• Minimizing requirements for states to consider electric grid integration and renewable energy.
• Removing the need for states to consider consumer protections, emergency evacuation plans, environmental siting, resilience and terrain.
• Offers states flexibility to determine when their system is built out, allowing NEVI funds to be used on public roads statewide.

The Trump administration’s updated NEVI program will also eliminate several diversity and equity requirements outlined in the initial NEVI offering, including requirements involving disadvantaged, rural and underserved communities. Among these revisions, the updates will slash language referring to former President Joe Biden’s Justice40 initiative, which sought to ensure at least 40% of the benefits from a federally funded project be delivered to historically disadvantaged or low-income communities and residents.

There have been no new obligations made through the NEVI Program since the review started. The administration expects the updated rules and rescinded language will help speed development of EV infrastructure, creating a nationwide network supporting clean energy vehicles.

Photo by Craig Adderley from Pexels