MnDOT briefs committee on EV infrastructure: 24 interstate locations contracted, federal NEVI guidance paused, state identifies ~83 additional sites

Amber Dahlman, office director for sustainability and public health at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), updated the Senate Transportation Committee on the state’s electric vehicle infrastructure program on March 26, 2025.

Nut graf: MnDOT said it has obligated roughly $10.4 million in federal NEVI funds for contracted sites and expects construction this spring for the first round, but federal guidance changes have paused new obligations and present a planning and programming challenge for the roughly $68 million in federal NEVI funds the state had expected to program.

Dahlman summarized recent program activity: MnDOT’s first round funded and contracted 12 locations along Interstates 94 and 35, with construction anticipated to begin in spring and stations operational by fall; the total first‑round contract value is just under $10 million. A second round of awards (approximately $13 million) has been scored and conditional award announcements were expected in April 2025. MnDOT nominated I‑35, I‑90 and I‑94 as NEVI corridors and is continuing statewide planning to identify gaps and priorities.

Dahlman said MnDOT’s statewide planning draft identifies roughly 83 additional locations needed for reliable EV charging outside core interstate corridors; site capacity may vary (typical locations are expected to have 2–4 ports). MnDOT provided construction‑cost ranges and an example per‑site figure: an interstate location with four high‑capacity ports can cost on the order of $1 million to construct.

Dahlman also reported that in February FHWA rescinded NEVI formula program guidance while it updates the guidance. FHWA indicated a public comment period will follow and that no new federal obligations will be processed until the guidance is reissued; however, existing obligated projects remain eligible for reimbursement. MnDOT told the committee it has roughly $57.6 million in unprogrammed NEVI federal funds (after the obligated $10.4 million) and intends to continue building out the nominated corridors when federal guidance is clear.

Committee members asked about public‑private partnerships and site selection. Dahlman said many funded locations are at convenience stores and travel‑oriented businesses and that MnDOT’s scoring favors locations with amenities. Senators and staff discussed the heavy share of home charging (MnDOT estimated about 80%) and the implications for per‑kWh taxation approaches discussed elsewhere in the hearing.

Ending: MnDOT said it will finalize the statewide EV infrastructure plan in late spring 2025, announce conditional awards for the second round and continue coordination with FHWA, charging operators and private site hosts as federal guidance evolves.