Arizona Electric Vehicle Program
Arizona Electric Vehicle Program
Contents
In February 2025, a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) letter rescinded the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program Guidance and suspended the approval of state NEVI deployment plans for all fiscal years. This effectively paused any new obligations under the program until updated guidance is issued. Due to the current status of the program, ADOT has cancelled the NEVI Phase 2 Request for Proposals. ADOT will assess new procurement opportunities after reviewing further guidance from FHWA on this program.
In August 2024, ADOT awarded 18 rapid-charging stations along I-10, I-8, I-40, I-17, and I-19. The obligated funds for these stations are not affected and we expect construction to start by the end of 2025.
ADOT Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan
As more and more Arizona drivers get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is taking advantage of new federal funding sources to plan for and implement a statewide network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program made $5 billion available for the deployment of publicly accessible EV chargers nationwide along roads that states select as alternative fuel corridors (AFC). The goal is to deploy a convenient, affordable, reliable, and equitable network of EV fast chargers along the nation’s highways and thus, to encourage adoption of electric vehicles.
NEVI requires that states meet strict specifications in their EV plans and networks in order to qualify for the funds. Over the five years of the NEVI program, the state is set to receive $76.5 million in federal dollars to establish up to 69 publicly accessible EV charging stations along Arizona’s designated AFC through the development of yearly plan updates proposing specific highways with potential locations and thereafter issuing solicitations for the sites listed in the plan.
NEVI regulations require EV Charging stations to be placed no more than 50 miles apart, and no further than 25 miles from the borders. Stations are also to be located within one mile of the highway. Every station shall have at least four EV parking spaces, each with at least 150-kilowatt direct current fast chargers (DCFC) and have the SAE Combined Charging System (CCS required). Beginning in 2025, Arizona will also require stations to have the North American Charging Standard (NACS or Tesla) plugs.
Station Status: In late 2024, the first 18 stations were conditionally awarded. Construction is expected to begin at the end of 2025.
EV Plan FAQs
What is NEVI?
The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program is a $5 billion program managed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to fund a resilient, equitable, accessible, reliable national network of Level 3 EV fast charging stations along the nation’s highways.
What is the goal of the NEVI program?
NEVI aims to:
- Build a resilient, equitable, accessible, reliable network
- Reduce ‘range anxiety’ by closing existing network gaps
This will be accomplished by:
- Engaging stakeholders, including the public, in all phases
- Utilizing efficient contracting and procurement processes
- Collecting data and applying metrics to ongoing planning for EV charging infrastructure
How were the proposed station locations determined?
According to federal guidance, electric vehicle charging stations need to be spaced at least every 50 miles along highways that have been designated alternative fuel corridors (AFC), unless an exception has been granted. Arizona’s AFC are currently the Interstate highways, but other routes on the state highway system will be added and will become eligible for NEVI-funded charging stations. ADOT’s 2022 EV Plan identified locations of existing EV charging stations along the Interstate highways to determine gaps based on federal requirements. Using technical analysis and input from the public and key stakeholders, including the EV industry, ADOT proposed general locations, such as particular interchanges; however, private sector contractors will conduct additional analysis to determine the specific charging station sites.
How many new stations will be built, and how many existing ones will be upgraded?
The number of stations to be built and upgraded is being determined through the EV planning process. The inventory of existing stations and the number of new/upgraded stations will change as new highways become eligible for NEVI-funded stations and ADOT updates the EV plan.
What kind of connectors will each station have?
All the sites will have CCS connectors at a minimum as required by the NEVI guidelines. NACs connectors were not required in the initial advertisement for charging stations along the Interstates since a national standard for this connector type had not yet been developed; however, private sector developers may add other connector types at their discretion. ADOT will require both the CCS and NACs connectors in future advertisements for charging stations along alternative fuel corridors.
Who is financially responsible for building the charging stations?
No state funding will be used to build the EV charging station network. The charging stations will be built with 80% federal funding and a 20% private match. ADOT will administer the contracting process.
Who will own and operate the charging stations?
Private companies under contract with ADOT will construct and own the stations and will provide the required 20% funding match.
Who determines the cost to charge an electric vehicle, and will it be the same at each station?
A charging fee will apply to use the EV charging stations. We do not know what the rates will be, as they will be set by the providers.
How many chargers will be at each station?
The NEVI formula program requires each station to have a minimum of 4 - 150 Kilowatt direct current fast chargers with combined charging system (CCS) ports. The minimum charging capacity for the whole station will be 600 Kilowatts and the station must be able to charge four electric vehicles simultaneously.
When do you anticipate the first charging station to be operational?
We anticipate the first charging stations will be operational in 2025.
Are there any existing charging stations along the state's Interstates?
Yes. ADOT’s EV deployment plan is evaluating existing EV charging infrastructure along the Interstates and determining gaps. NEVI funding may be used to upgrade existing EV charging infrastructure and to build new fast charging stations.
When will the new stations be built?
Stations are anticipated to be built approximately 12 months after their award.
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For questions or comments contact us:
- By Phone: ADOT Project Information Line: 855.712.8530
- Email: [email protected]
- By Mail: ADOT Communications, 1655 W. Jackson St., MD 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007