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ADOT updates board on NEVI plan; some interstate sites re-advertised after low bids
Summary
ADOT briefed the board on the federal NEVI program, Arizona’s eligible funding, build requirements and the status of solicitations; staff said 18 of 21 interstate locations drew proposals and three will be re-bid after adjusting cost estimates.
At the Aug. 15 Arizona State Transportation Board meeting, ADOT staff provided a progress update on the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program and the state’s NEVI plan, describing funding limits, siting rules and procurement status.
ADOT planner Matt Moll told the board that Arizona is eligible for up to about $76.5 million in NEVI funds over five years and that NEVI dollars may be used only for EV fast chargers on federally designated alternative-fuel corridors that are part of the National Highway System. Moll said stations must be placed no more than 50 miles apart, be within one mile of the designated corridor and provide at least four charging stalls equipped for 150-kilowatt charging (four stalls per site).
Moll said ADOT will rely on privately owned vendors to build, operate and maintain the stations; the NEVI solicitation structure requires an 80% federal contribution with a 20% match from the awarded private partner. He said ADOT received proposals for 18 of the 21 interstate sites advertised; three locations received no viable proposals and will be readvertised with increased ‘‘not to exceed’’ amounts to reflect higher estimated costs.
Board members asked about whether state routes and tribal land can qualify for NEVI-funded chargers. Moll replied that a route can be eligible if it is on the National Highway System and is designated as an Alternative Fuel Corridor; he and board members noted that congressional limits on corridor mileage affect eligibility and that expanding the network would require engagement with federal officials. Moll and board members also agreed that tribal jurisdictions follow the same corridor eligibility rules and that other federal programs can be pursued jointly with tribes.
Moll said the 2025 NEVI plan draft was due Sept. 10 and that ADOT expects the NEVI stations authorized in the first phase to be completed in 2026. ADOT staff said public outreach on the 2025 draft would be recorded and posted on ADOT’s website and that staff would present the NEVI program at an upcoming tribal working meeting.
Ending: ADOT plans to re-advertise three stations with updated cost estimates, continue public outreach on the 2025 plan and coordinate with congressional offices and tribal partners to pursue corridor expansions where feasible.
