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WSDOT awards NEVI and ZVIP grants; Wazip technical assistance to help fleets apply
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Summary
WSDOT reported nearly $12.16 million in NEVI round‑1 awards to expand CCS ports on highway corridors and proposed ZVIP awards that would add about 119 fast‑charging ports; WSU and CalSTART will provide technical assistance ahead of Wazip voucher openings.
Donna Hines, grant manager in WSDOT’s Office of Innovative Partnerships, said the agency awarded almost $12.16 million in NEVI round‑1 grants to expand charging infrastructure in 14 communities and expects that the awarded projects will provide coverage for about 528 miles of highway corridors and roughly 96 CCS ports. "We expect that these projects will deliver some wonderful benefits," Hines said, adding WSDOT will finalize grant agreements and begin project planning.
Separately, Cara Simons (WSDOT grant manager) outlined ZVIP (state Climate Commitment Act funded) award proposals of about $20 million that would add approximately 119 fast‑charging ports at 23 station locations, with many stations exceeding the four‑port, 150‑kW minimum.
Ahead of voucher windows, WSU’s Brad James described WSU’s role delivering free technical assistance to prospective Wazip applicants in the enhanced‑voucher categories (small and emerging businesses, drayage, veteran‑owned businesses, nonprofits and public agencies). WSU’s assistance will include vehicle and charging guidance, total‑cost‑of‑ownership analysis, route analysis and help connecting applicants to certified dealers and other incentives.
What this means: the awarded NEVI and proposed ZVIP investments expand public charging along state corridors and complement vehicle incentives in Wazip; however, WSDOT and panelists said the infrastructure need still exceeds available funds and many applications remain oversubscribed.
Next steps: WSDOT expects to finalize round‑1 NEVI agreements and publish a round‑2 solicitation; Wazip opens April 29, and WSU and CalSTART availability for technical assistance was emphasized as a resource for fleets and agencies planning to apply.