Contact: Noah Barnes, Electrification Coalition
nbarnes@electrificationcoalition.org, (202) 461-2371
MADISON, WIS.—The Electrification Coalition (EC) applauds the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WIDOT) for submitting its National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) state plan. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to deploy a nationwide electric vehicle (EV) charging network, the Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan will guide the administration of federal funds allocated to Wisconsin to build EV charging infrastructure along its alternative fuel corridors (AFCs) and accelerate Wisconsin’s electric mobility future.
Wisconsin is slated to receive $78.5 million over the next five years. The EC commends Wisconsin for creating a robust state plan, which represents a significant investment in the future of electric transportation. In doing so, Wisconsin will boost its economy and ensure that EV drivers can travel across the state with ease and confidence. The investment will also bring new EV charging stations to non-urban areas, which contain 85% of Wisconsin’s AFCs.
“WisDOT’s plan to electrify alternative fuel corridors across the state is a great first step by officials to lead the way in the state’s electric transportation future,” said Ben Prochazka, executive director of the Electrification Coalition. “Planning, engagement, and coordination with other state departments and regional organizations, as Wisconsin has done, is critical to creating a comprehensive charging network across the entire Midwest.”
To lead regionally and nationally on transportation electrification, we urge Wisconsin to consider the following recommendation:
- Take advantage of Volkswagen settlement funds. Whenever possible, Wisconsin should utilize pathways created and lessons learned from the distribution of Volkswagen settlement funds to inform the distribution of NEVI funds. The inclusion of the Wisconsin Department of Administration in the Wisconsin Electrification Steering Committee is an excellent first step in this process.
- Remain intentional about stakeholder outreach. The EC applauds the inclusion of EV advocate groups, rural organizations, and utilities. To further advance the goals of equity outlined in Wisconsin’s plan, the State should ensure that future public outreach engages communities that may have not had the chance to inform the first iteration of the plan. According to the public engagement webinar attendance, there were several counties that encompass tribal lands, disadvantaged communities, and or designated AFCs that had no representation on either public webinar. The partnership of local advocates will make or break the successful and equitable deployment of infrastructure, and it is critical all of Wisconsin’s counties are engaged in the NEVI planning and implementation process.
- Identify and amplify supportive policies. Wisconsin’s funding from the NEVI program is historic. The $78.5 million Wisconsin is slated to receive will kickstart the construction of AFCs throughout the state. However, more must be done to advance electrification. To equitably and responsibly deploy EV infrastructure and EVs at large, Wisconsin needs supporting policies and regulations. After the development of their plan, Wisconsin is in a unique position to identify and uplift policies, regulations, and actions that will accelerate the development of EVs and EV infrastructure.
By swiftly enacting strong transportation electrification policies, the state can encourage the growth of the EV market, leading to new jobs and economic development in Wisconsin and across the EV industry.
Fostering these investments in the future of electric transportation will benefit Wisconsin’s economy and signal to the global automotive industry Wisconsin’s growing commitment to transportation electrification.
With over a decade of experience developing and deploying cutting-edge tools and resources to support the mass adoption of electric vehicles, the EC is a trusted partner supporting states, local governments, and communities across the country with the policies and projects to drive our electric transportation future. The EC is ready to build on its work in Wisconsin to support the efficient, effective, and equitable deployment of charging infrastructure through the NEVI state plan.
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About the Electrification Coalition: The Electrification Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that advances policies and actions to facilitate the widespread deployment of electric vehicles in order to overcome the economic, public health and national security challenges that stem from America’s dependence on oil. For more information, visit electrificationcoalition.org.