Idaho’s 2023 EV infrastructure plan update gets federal approval

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The State of Idaho has announced the Federal Highway Administration’s approval of the 2023 National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program Baseline Plan update. This milestone signifies a significant stride in Idaho’s progress in funding electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The NEVI Formula Program, established by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, aims to create a cohesive network of electric vehicle, or EV, charging stations for increased convenience, accessibility and reliability. Oversight of this program is shared between the Idaho Transportation Department, the Idaho Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.

Originally submitted in August 2022, the Idaho NEVI Baseline Plan necessitates annual updates to comply with federal program requirements. The 2023 NEVI Formula Program Baseline Plan Update submitted on Aug. 1 includes a comprehensive overview of the program’s vision, community involvement, contracting strategy, civil rights considerations, infrastructure analysis, deployment plan, equity factors, labor and workforce considerations, cybersecurity measures and program evaluation.

“The approval of Idaho’s update to the NEVI baseline plan is a key milestone for the effective deployment of electric vehicle infrastructure in Idaho,” said Rich Stover, administrator of the Idaho Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources. 

Projects funded through NEVI can receive up to 80% reimbursement, with site owners responsible for the remaining costs. This funding covers physical infrastructure, operations, maintenance of charging stations and eligible supporting infrastructure.

The next phase of the NEVI Formula Program involves the siting, feasibility and access study. The study will assess potential EV charging station locations across the state, considering zoning, environmental impacts, power resources, traffic patterns, existing infrastructure and more.

The State of Idaho will soon announce the first NEVI Formula Program request for proposals in Bliss, Pocatello or Lewiston, with two of these locations selected for development.