Committee hears request to restore Mileage Smart funding as NEVI guidance and federal EV funding remain uncertain

Senate Transportation Committee members heard a request to provide $150,000 to restart the Mileage Smart program and $250,000 for public transit support. Witnesses told the committee $150,000 is likely insufficient to restart Mileage Smart at scale and described the program’s funding history and current federal uncertainties for EV infrastructure.

AOT and program administrators said Mileage Smart was authorized in 2019, launched in 2020, and has incentivized more than 1,000 vehicles. At points in 2024 the program spent as much as $400,000 per month to meet demand; to extend limited funds the program prioritized low‑income recipients. The program ran out of state funding in October 2024 and Capstone Community Action, which administered Mileage Smart, does not currently have capacity to resume administration without new funds. The sponsor told the committee she initially sought $3,000,000 in the bill but proposed $150,000 as a smaller restart request; committee members and agency staff said the smaller amount would likely cover only administrative costs and would not produce significant vehicle incentives.

On statewide EV infrastructure, AOT briefed the committee on National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program timing and federal guidance. AOT said states must submit NEVI plans that USDOT must approve; recent FHWA guidance changes paused access to formula funds and the agency has had to delay some projects. AOT reported two projects were funded using ARPA/adjusted general funds but said revised federal guidance is expected this spring and could require resubmission of plans under new criteria. Committee members asked AOT to update the panel as federal guidance and plan approvals evolve.

The committee did not adopt funding in the hearing; senators asked for further information from Capstone and from agency officials about program restart costs and NEVI plan timelines.