MDOT Launches the Electric Vehicle Charger Siting Tool
MDOT launched the new Electric Vehicle Charger Siting Tool. The interactive Tool consolidates data from a variety of state and federal agencies and may be a useful resource for potential applicants when applying to the NEVI Formula Funding Program, CFI Discretionary Grant Program, and other state/local grant programs to determine whether a site may be a good candidate for a grant program.
First Round of Funding Announced for Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program!
The Biden-Harris administration opened applications for the first round of funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program.
The multi-billion-dollar program will fund electric vehicle (EV) charging and alternative-fueling infrastructure in communities across the country and along designated highways, interstates, and major roadways.
This program, established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will provide $2.5 billion over five years to a wide range of applicants, including cities, counties, local governments, and tribes. The CFI Discretionary Grant Program builds on the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, for which the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) published finalized minimum standards earlier this month.
This first round of funding makes up to $700 million from Fiscal Years (FY) 2022 and 2023 funding available to strategically deploy EV charging and other alternative vehicle-fueling infrastructure projects in publicly accessible locations in urban and rural communities, as well as along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs).
Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 (the “application deadline”). Applicants are encouraged to submit applications in advance of the application deadline; however, applications will not be evaluated, and awards will not be made, until after the application deadline.
Maryland’s NEVI Plan Approved!
Maryland’s State Plan for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Funding Deployment was submitted to The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation on Friday, July 15, 2022.
Maryland’s plan was among the first 35 state plans approved by the Joint Office on September 14, 2022.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Public Law 117-58 (Nov. 15, 2021), includes important new programs to address climate change by reducing carbon emissions. Among these programs is a national Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Program to provide funding that FHWA shall distribute among the States to strategically deploy EV charging infrastructure and to establish an interconnected network to facilitate data collection, access, and reliability.
Purpose of the NEVI Plan
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) are working collaboratively with partners and stakeholders to develop the Maryland State Plan for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Funding Deployment, and the subsequent NEVI program. The plan is required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), to access NEVI formula program funding. The NEVI Plan was submitted to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on July 15, 2022, in advance of the federal deadline of August 1, 2022.
Funds must be used for:
- The acquisition and installation of EV charging infrastructure to serve as a catalyst for the deployment of such infrastructure and to connect it to a network to facilitate data collection, access, and reliability;
- proper operation and maintenance of EV charging infrastructure; and
- data sharing about EV charging infrastructure to ensure the long-term success of investments made under the program.
Maryland has a long history of collaboration, coordination, and leadership in the adoption and deployment of zero emission vehicles (ZEV) and EV infrastructure. This history of collaboration and dedication to innovative solutions has resulted in Maryland being consistently ranked as a leader in transportation electrification. Stakeholder feedback is welcome throughout the NEVI Plan and Program development process.
Description of Maryland’s Zero Emission Vehicle Plan (ZEVIP)
The NEVI Plan and Program, are key aspects of Maryland’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Planning (ZEVIP) initiative. The goal of ZEVIP is to look at Maryland’s ZEV infrastructure holistically. As illustrated in the graphic to the right, the ZEVIP effort builds upon NEVI by incorporating other initiatives, such as discretionary grants, other state programs, and private investments. This approach will help us develop an understanding of existing and potential opportunities to maximize ZEV infrastructure deployment across Maryland.
NEVI Milestones
FEBRUARY 2023
2nd NEVI RFI Issued
SEPTEMBER 2022
1st NEVI RFI Issued
SEPTEMBER 2022
- NEVI plan approved by the Joint Office
JULY 2022
Submit NEVI Plan
- NEVI plan submitted to the Joint Office
JUNE 2022
Draft NEVI Plan
- Present Draft NEVI plan
- Obtain final comments/ feedback on the Draft ZEVIP
April 2022
Gap Analysis, Equity Considerations & Prioritization Methodology
- Present updated Vision, Goals and stakeholder feedback from Milestone # 1
- Present preliminary gaps analysis and prioritization
- Survey # 2 to obtain feedback on gaps and prioritization
- Reaction/ Rating of identified gaps/ potential location identification including rural and underserved communities
- Feedback for other gaps/ priorities/ metrics
MDOT has taken a leadership role in the designation of alternative fuel corridors (AFC) in the state. In addition to working with our partners in Maryland in our leadership role of Maryland’s Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council (ZEEVIC), we have worked closely with neighboring states and regional coalitions to ensure corridor connectivity extends beyond our borders. The new round of AFC nomination is due to FHWA by May 13, 2022, which will be closely coordinated with the development of ZEVIP.
March 2022
Stakeholder
Kick-Off
- Provide background on EV and IIJA funding/ requirements and changes to AFC
- Share the website and the Vision, Goals, Objectives, and Priorities
- Obtain feedback on existing Gaps
- Obtain feedback on priorities for new location/ alternative fuel corridors
- Share the Draft Plan outline and schedule
- Share screening tools considered and obtain feedback/approval
- Share information links
- Survey #1 to obtain feedback on
- Vision and goals
- Existing infrastructure gaps
- Prioritization criteria