Georgia approved for electric vehicle plan by FHWA

ATLANTA – Georgia is one of the first 35 states in the country to be approved by the FHWA for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan.

Publication:

The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) announced that Georgia is one of the first 35 states in the country to receive approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) plan. With this approval, the Georgia DOT can proceed with planning implementation to ultimately commit its allocation of approximately $130 million in federal funding to EV charging infrastructure over the next five years.

“After careful planning and investment through strong public-private partnerships, Georgia is now a national leader in the electric mobility industry, with automakers, battery manufacturers and recyclers and other supporting companies heralding record-breaking jobs and investments in our state,” said Gov. Brian Kemp. “As we work to stay at the forefront of this burgeoning industry, I am confident Georgia DOT’s efforts will play a critical role in building the infrastructure to support that growth.”

“The approval of Georgia’s plan is another important step in the state’s work as a leader in electric mobility,” said Jannine Miller, Georgia DOT director of planning. “This early approval complements Georgia’s success in attracting significant investment in the automotive and manufacturing industries and lays the foundation for the state to use NEVI program funds to address gaps in DC fast charging for the traveling public especially in rural and underserved areas.”

Over the coming months, Georgia DOT will develop options for implementing the approved NEVI plan by evaluating the most effective methods of achieving Georgia DOT’s five goals: compliance with federal regulations; customer-centric investments; optimized economic development; Working in partnership with the private sector; and charging station operation that is sustainable and reliable. Georgia DOT’s continued work will include further outreach to key stakeholders, working with the state’s electric utilities and an initial round of outreach to gather insights into how to achieve Georgia DOT’s NEVI goals.

“Georgia DOT is committed to remaining responsible stewards of taxpayer funds while finalizing federal guidelines for the use of NEVI funds,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry. “We are pleased that our plan has been approved and will now focus on taking the time needed to understand and comply with the final federal regulations as they are implemented, working with industry partners and the public, and a create an effective program to use NEVI funding.”

Consistent with previously released federal guidance, Georgia DOT’s plan calls for the initial NEVI fund deployment to be along Georgia’s Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs), which extend along I-75, I-20, I-85, I-16, USA is located at 82, US-441, I-95, I-985/US 23, I-575/GA 515 and I-185 as designated by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). In the coming years, the NEVI funds must be invested in DC fast charging stations that comply with federal guidelines. Key requirements include that each station must have at least four outlets that can charge 150 kilowatts simultaneously, be located every 50 miles of the AFC, be less than a mile from the exit, and be open to the public 24 hours a day .

The NEVI formula program was created by the bipartisan Infrastructure Act of 2021 with the aim of building a national network of electric vehicle charging stations to accelerate the construction of a convenient, reliable, affordable and equitable experience for all users. The program is nationally approved for nearly $5 billion over the next five years.

For more information on EV infrastructure deployment in Georgia, please visit https://www.dot.ga.gov/NEVI, where interested parties can click the follow button for regular updates.

The Georgia Department of Transportation designs, builds, and maintains Georgia’s state and federal highways. We are involved in programs for bridges, waterways, public transportation, rail vehicles, general aviation, bicycles and pedestrians. And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT and its nearly 4,000 employees are committed to providing a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability and mobility. The Ministry’s vision is to strengthen Georgia’s competitiveness through leadership in transportation.