The opportunity or challenge? Electric vehicles (EV) have been in the news for the last few years. Sales have grown, as has the EV share of new car sales. Recently demand for EVs has cooled with charging infrastructure remaining a top concern for car buyers considering an EV for the first time.

How a “fix” would benefit the state? EVs are a part of transportation’s future. A robust network of chargers across the state would ensure motorists, no matter where they live or travel in Wisconsin, won’t have to worry about where to find their next charge. States that tackle this emerging hurdle will be at a competitive advantage.

What made addressing the issue possible? The federal infrastructure law provides Wisconsin more than $78 million over five years through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program to support private industry construction of fast-charging electric vehicle stations. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and WisDOT recently awarded $23.3 million of these funds for 53 locations along Wisconsin’s Alternative Fuel Corridor, a linkage of highways connecting all parts of the state. The Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program received more than 260 applications during the first Request for Proposals (RFP) round.

What’s next? WisDOT anticipates the first locations will be operational in October of 2024, with the rest following in 2025.