FHWA issues biannual request for information on the status of the EV charger industry

As part of the Build America, Buy America waiver process, the FHWA is conducting a biannual RFI on status of EV Charging Industry.

Requests for comment include, but are not limited to, the number of chargers recently produced by EV charger manufacturers, projections on chargers expected to be produced, and the number of EV chargers recently purchased by recipients of Federal financial assistance and projected to be purchased by recipients of Federal financial assistance in the near future.

Click here to learn more or submit comments.

The deadline to submit responses is Dec. 26, 2023.

EV charging infrastructure business planning assistance

Business people seeking business planning assistance for an electric vehicle charging station can contact their local Wyoming Small Business Development Center Network advisor on the SBDC Network web page. Fill in your information in the “Get in touch with your local advisor today” box in the upper-right hand corner.

If you need a business plan review and insights on the financial side of your existing plan, contact the Wyoming Business Council’s Investments Team or call the main office 307-777-2800.

National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program

WYDOT announces NEVI RFI

WYDOT is issuing a Request for Information to gauge interest from potential station owners interested in participating in the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.

The RFI is open now and can be accessed via WYDOT Procurement's Public Purchase software. Instructions on how to create an account can be found on Procurement's webpage. The deadline for written questions about the RFI is Jan. 10, 2024 and the deadline for final responses is Jan. 31.

Depending on the results of the RFI, the State will revisit continuing with the request for proposal process outlined in the Wyoming Year 1 NEVI plan or other potential alternatives.

The Wyoming 2023/Year 2 NEVI plan remains under review by the Federal Highway Administration. More information on the updated plan will be announced later this year.

NEVI Background & Overview

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In November 2021, the Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) allocated up to $7.5 billion over five years for states to enhance their Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure.

The electric vehicle infrastructure funding will help EV drivers to have regular access to charging stations to help avoid a situation where a driver could be stranded without services. Additionally, the added infrastructure could bolster tourism as EVs become more popular nationwide.

There are two sources for funding: Federal Formula Funding and Discretionary Grants

NEVI Formula Funding

Wyoming was allocated $3.9 million in 2022 and expects $5 million each year for the next four years for a total of $23.96 million for EV infrastructure, including:

Acquisition and installation of EV charging infrastructure and traffic control devices and signs.
Operation and maintenance of EV charging infrastructure for up to five years.
Data sharing about EV infrastructure to ensure long-term success of equipment installed under the formula program.
Development activities related to acquisition or installation

In preparation to execute NEVI funding and other program incentives, the state developed a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Strategy.

Download and review Wyoming's NEVI plan.

Formula Funding details

WYDOT will not own, operate or maintain the charging infratructure through the NEVI program. Instead, this funding will be used to incentivize private industry to build the alternative fuel corridors, which are the interstates in Wyoming.

Federal rules (see link above) specify requirements for minimum standards for federally funded EV infrastructure.

These standards ensure that chargers operated by different networks will operate similarly and provide the traveling public with a predictable EV charging experience – no matter what car you drive or what state you charge in. These standards also require that chargers have consistent plug types and charging speeds, common payment systems, and accessible pricing information, locations, and availability.

Requirements also include:

50 mile minimum distance between charging stations
Charging stations placed a minimum of 1 mile from alternative fuel corridor
Charger strength, including requirements for four Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC) and 150kW and higher charging capacity in each location

Consultant studies: EV usage & charging infrastructure economics

WYDOT has hired a consultant, HDR, Inc., to write the technical specifications for the NEVI RFP. HDR completed studies regarding EV charging station economic return on investment and EV use estimates. Although HDR used different methodologies to complete the studies, findings are similar to WYDOT's analyses regarding potential challenges the NEVI program's EV charging infrastructure may have in our state.

Feds announce final NEVI rules and regulations

Click here to read the final rules and regulations for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program

Click here to read the Waiver of Buy America Requirements for Electric Vehicle Chargers

Wyoming 2022 NEVI Plan receives approval

Thank you to all who commented on Wyoming's NEVI Plan. The Federal Government announced in September 2022 that Wyoming's Year 1 plan has been accepted. Click here to read the approval letter.

Eight of Wyoming's 11 exception requests to the Federal requirements for EV charging station spacing, including requirements that stations be placed no more than 50 miles apart, were rejected. To read more about that, check our latest news release.

To read the Plan, click the links below:

Wyoming NEVI Plan - Final