From staff reports After spending $9 million to install 13 EV chargers on I-40, I-44 and I-44 corridors in the state, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation has ended a second phase of the Biden administration’s big push to mandate electric vehicles in place of fossil fuel cars and trucks.
ODOT has completed the second phase of Oklahoma’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure’s Plan as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The EV Plan is posted at Oklahoma. gov/evok and is available to review and provide comments through Monday, Aug. 19, 2024.
Comments are necessary for phase two of the plan which is designed to build out electric vehicle charging infrastructure along alternative fuel corridors in Oklahoma. A map of alternative fuel corridors can be found at Oklahoma.gov/evok.
ODOT awarded its first round of contracts in April, and a second round of proposals will be released in the fall of 2024. Once the AFC charging stations are operational and evaluated, the remaining NEVI funds will be available for discretionary use.
Under the NEVI program, Oklahoma will be receiving $66 million during the course of five years to improve and expand the statewide network of electric vehicle charging stations. To qualify for NEVI funding to support electric vehicle charging infrastructure installation, sites must meet specific criteria: they must be no more than 50 miles apart from existing or planned sites within designated corridors, be within one mile of an exit, feature four charging stations with simultaneous 150kW charging capabilities each, offer 24hour accessibility and have broadband or cellular capability.
Stakeholders and community members can provide input on the plan and ODOT will take all comments into consideration and make changes accordingly. Phase two of the NEVI plan will be submitted to the USDOT Sept. 1, 2024. To leave comments, visit https://pima.oklahoma-outreach. com/public/comment/project-comment- dynamic?project_id=3&pe_ id=35.