WisDOT awards first round of funding for EV charging stations

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MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has awarded the first round of funding for electric vehicle chargers at 53 statewide businesses, including local retailers, gas stations and convenience stores. It’s the first step in a program to build up the state’s electric vehicle infrastructure.

In May, Gov. Tony Evers announced the state transportation agency received more than 260 applications in the first requests for proposals for the Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (WEVI) program. The money will support private construction of charging stations as electric vehicles become more prevalent in the auto industry.

State transportation officials carved out seven locations in the southeast region; 11 each in the north central, northeast and southwest regions; and 13 in the northwest region, officials said.

WEVI requires at least four combined charging system connectors, the standard for EV charging, at each station. Forty-six sites will have North American Charging System connectors developed by Tesla and opened to other automakers.

Each port is required to have a 150-kilowatt-hour outline and officials said more than 70% of awarded locations have port minimums greater than the requirement.

WisDOT opened the RFP in January and closed it on April 1, officials said. Projects received an estimated $33.8 million, including $23.3 million in federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and $10.5 million in private financing, officials added.

Applicants are required to give at least a 20% match to federal funds, officials said. There were 260 applicants in the first round.

Of the locations picked in the first round, 15 are located in disadvantaged communities and two were awarded to Tribal applications. As of publication, Wisconsin is the first and only state to award such money to a Tribal organization, officials added.

It’s not clear yet when WisDOT will release a second proposals request requests, but the agency said it wants to address remaining gaps in the state’s fledgling EV charging network.

“Electrification is coming,” said Craig Thompson, the state’s transportation secretary. “The private sector has spoken. The major auto manufacturers are retooling and have announced ambitious plans to transition to producing predominantly electric vehicles in the near future. That is good for our environment because it can dramatically reduce emission from burning fossil fuels. We, in the public sector, need to be ready for this transformational change — and in Wisconsin, we will be. That is why WisDOT is continuing to work with our partners to enhance Wisconsin’s EV infrastructure and make benefits of EVs available to everyone in Wisconsin,” he added.