Wyoming will soon start receiving millions of dollars in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula funds to help develop charging stations and other electric vehicle infrastructure around the state.

The funding is part of the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Joe Biden in November. The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is allocated $3.9 million this year and expects $5 million each year for the next four years, for a total of $23.96 million for EV infrastructure over five years.

“These stations will not only be powered by Wyoming energy, but will help facilitate tourism around the state,” said WYDOT Director Luke Reiner. “We want drivers who choose EVs to have safe and reliable ways to charge their vehicles as they drive in our state. This has been an inter-agency effort to maximize available resources for our residents and visitors.”

In preparing to execute NEVI funding and other program incentives, the state has developed a Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy and will circulate the vision over the next month to allow the public and interested parties to provide feedback. That includes a meeting at the Cody library from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5.

“The meeting is important … and an opportunity for local business and tourism efforts,” said Cody Beers, a regional spokesman for WYDOT.

It will still be some time before any charging stations are added in the Big Horn Basin through the program: Wyoming’s interstates have been designated as “alternative fuel corridors” and under the NEVI program, they must receive infrastructure first. (Corridor infrastructure must also adhere to guidelines for charger efficiency, location and accessibility.)

Once the interstate corridors are complete, WYDOT says the remaining funding can be spent along other key routes to popular destinations like Yellowstone National Park and Devils Tower National Monument.

“No state funds will be used to build, maintain or operate EV charging infrastructure through the NEVI program,” WYDOT added in a news release. “Instead, the company who bids on the corridor will pay the required match amount to the federal funds.”

In addition to the NEVI funding, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law outlined $2.5 billion in discretionary grants available to eligible applicants, including state and local governments, special purpose districts, tribes and other groups or entities. The state also has VW settlement funds that will be used to provide additional funding for EV infrastructure development in areas not along the alternative fuel corridors.

The April 5 meeting in Cody at the Park County Library’s Grizzly Hall is just one of 10 scheduled around the state through mid-April, with other stops in Cheyenne, Casper, Riverton, Jackson, Rock Springs, Rawlins, Gillette and Sheridan. Each meeting is expected to have a virtual component so viewers can attend any of the sessions, see the proposed plan and make comments. Those interested in making a public comment can also email dot-publicaffairs@wyo.gov. 

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/yc5cne74.