Kansas to start installing EV charging stations along interstate highways

The Kansas Department of Transportation’s Charge Up Kansas NEVI Plan has been approved and is set to receive $39.5 million total over the next five years under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. The plan provides KDOT federal funds to help build a high-powered EV charging network across the state.

Initial program funding will be matched with local funding to build direct current fast chargers (DCFC) along designated EV charging corridors. In Kansas, those corridors are I-70, I-35, I-135, I-355, U.S. 400 and U.S. 81 from I-70 north to the Nebraska state line. Once complete, this will result in nearly 1,600 miles of Kansas interstates and highways with readily accessible fast-charging stations.

“This funding will enable the build-out of an EV corridor network, and DCFC gives EV drivers quick and convenient fueling options for long-distance travel,” said Tami Alexander, KDOT Transportation Electrification Manager. “With the vast amount of wind energy in the state, much of the fuel for EVs will be locally produced.”

Altogether, 35 plans from states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have received approval, with approval underway for the remaining states. FHWA is also working on related efforts to establish ground rules for how formula NEVI funds can be spent. FHWA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on proposed minimum standards and requirements for projects funded under the NEVI Formula Program and plans to finalize that rulemaking now that the comment period has closed.