U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy yesterday announced updated guidance for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. The Interim Final Guidance, effective immediately, is intended to streamline applications, increase state flexibility, and reduce administrative requirements. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will seek public comment on potential additional changes.
“If Congress is requiring the federal government to support charging stations, let’s cut the waste and do it right,” Duffy said. “The Biden-Buttigieg Administration failed to deliver EV chargers despite their promises. Our revised NEVI guidance slashes red tape and makes it easier for states to efficiently build out this infrastructure. While I don’t agree with subsidizing green energy, we will respect Congress’ will and make sure this program uses federal resources efficiently.”
The NEVI program was created to fund state deployment of EV charging infrastructure. Earlier this year, USDOT and FHWA launched a review of the guidance to improve program efficiency. At the time, 84% of NEVI Formula Program funds remained unobligated.
Under the updated guidance, states are directed to submit their EV Infrastructure Deployment Plans within 30 days. Changes include:
- Limiting state plan content to statutory and regulatory requirements
- Simplifying the plan approval process
- Allowing states flexibility in determining distance between stations
- Reducing consultation requirements to accelerate projects
- Removing requirements related to grid integration, renewable energy, consumer protections, emergency planning, and environmental siting considerations
- Providing states more discretion in determining when their systems are built out so funds can be used on public roads statewide
The updated guidance also rescinds prior policy language requiring extensive community engagement, Justice40 benefit targets, labor and safety standards, and resilience measures.
The original announcement can be found here.