Further NEVI funding for Alaska announced

Alan Bailey

for Petroleum News

The Alaska Energy Authority has announced that the Federal Highway Administration has approved the third annual funding plan for Alaska under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, or NEVI, funding program. The approval will make a further $11 million of federal funding available for the continuing expansion of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Alaska, AEA said.

NEVI funding comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, which provides funding for EV charging infrastructure along public roads. Together with $30 million awarded across fiscal years 2022 to 2024, federal investment in Alaska's electric vehicle charging infrastructure will amount to a total of $41 million so far.

AEA and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities have been focusing on the installation of high-speed charging stations along the road corridor between Anchorage and Fairbanks. The presence of these charging stations will improve the practicality of using electric vehicles for long distance driving in the state. AEA says that the NEVI funded charging stations will each have at least four charging ports, while some will have eight ports.

It is anticipated that this initial phase of charging station construction will be completed this year, after which the focus will move to supporting smaller urban areas and rural communities on the road system, AEA says.

"This funding allows us to leverage available federal resources to directly benefit Alaskans," said AEA Executive Director Curtis Thayer. "Developing EV charging infrastructure ensures our state remains connected and is well-prepared for the future, while also addressing Alaska's unique transportation challenges."

"The approval of the FY25 NEVI Plan is a significant step forward for Alaska's transportation network," said DOT&PF Commissioner Ryan Anderson. "Expanding EV charging infrastructure gives Alaskans more travel options while the department continues to build a reliable and resilient transportation system across the state for all users."

--ALAN BAILEY