Electrification Coalition
Back to Resources

National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program Updated Guidance 

Pictured: NEVI station in London, OH

On August 11, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released updated interim final NEVI guidance. The guidance replaces all previous NEVI guidance and allows states to resubmit NEVI plans to obligate remaining FY22-26 funding that had been frozen since February 6, 2025. 

The interim final guidance is effective immediately, with state plans due within 30 days after establishment in the federal register (by September 12, 2025). The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is also accepting feedback on the guidance during the ongoing 14-day public comment period, which closes August 27.  

Retained Key Program Elements: 

  • Minimum standards and requirements in 23 CFR 680, which govern all EV charging investments funded via Title 23. This includes the installation of four charging ports with 150 kW capacity each, and quarterly data reporting requirements via the EV-ChART tool.  

Pictured: NEVI Station in Elmira, NY

Key Changes:

  • Updated guidance for yearly state NEVI plan submission.
  • Greater discretion to states for site selection and deployment, such as removing 50-mile charging spacing requirements.
  • Encouragement to utilize charging locations where charging station operator is also the site host. 

Insights and Recommendations

  • States should move quickly to update and resubmit their NEVI plans by September 12, 2025. 
    • States may use plans from fiscal years 2022-2025, but should avoid eliminated requirements and focus on the three statutory requirements for consideration: 
      1. Description of how the State intends to use NEVI Program funds for each fiscal year. The plan should cover all unobligated funding for fiscal years 2022-2026. 
      2. Community engagement outcomes report.  
      3. Description of physical and cybersecurity strategies

 

  • States are encouraged to fully obligate funding for all fiscal years in their FY26 plans and submit project requests for all remaining funds allocated to the State (e.g., establishing grant program or translating the lump sum apportionment into federally approved projects). 

 

  • States are still encouraged to consider the 50-mile spacing benchmark for light-duty Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs).
    • The new guidance removes the 50-mile spacing requirement for AFCs, offering states greater flexibility in planning EV charging infrastructure. However, states should continue to consider this benchmark as a planning tool to help identify and address charging deserts for light-duty vehicles. Maintaining approximately 50-mile intervals can ensure broader geographic coverage, especially in rural or underserved areas where private investment may be less economically viable.

 

  • States should keep awards dynamic and expand site location options 
    • States have greater flexibility in selecting charging station locations and are encouraged to prioritize sites where the charging station operator is also the site host (for example, Love’s Travel Stops). However, states should consider continuing to keep awards dynamic and expand site location options to cover places where people shop, dine, and work. 

 

  • States should identify opportunities for discretionary fund use outside of the AFCs.
    • The updated guidance simplifies the fully-built-out certification process, which now only requires a letter with “reasonable explanation” and supporting evidence. As states resume their NEVI programs, they should begin to identify opportunities for discretionary fund use outside of the AFCs, such as rural and secondary tier highways where charging gaps are often vast.

 

  • States should consider new provisions for medium and heavy-duty (MHD) charging infrastructure and upgrading existing charging stations. 
    • Under the new guidance, states have expanded eligible funding uses, including MHD charging infrastructure and upgrades to existing stations. States should leverage these provisions to accelerate MHD EV adoption, particularly for E-freight and electric school bus fleets. MHD infrastructure has its own considerations and should be evaluated based on unique site needs. 

 

Questions? Contact us at infrastructure@electrificationcoalition.org 

Amy Malaki

Amy Malaki is the head of policy and sustainability at SkyNRG and SkyNRG Americas, pioneering global leaders in sustainable aviation fuel production and supply. Prior to SkyNRG, Amy was the associate director for the transportation portfolio at the ClimateWorks Foundation where she developed philanthropic investment strategies to advance a sustainable, equitable and low-carbon mobility system. She also pioneered the organization’s international aviation decarbonization strategy. Prior to that she focused on Asia business development at Better Place, a Silicon Valley electric vehicle network startup. She has a B.A. in Chinese and China studies from the University of Washington and an M.A. in international policy studies (energy and environment) from Stanford University.