Arizona Department of Transportation announced it will be investing in charging stations over the next five years. Arizona has received an allotted $76.5 million from the federal government as a part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program (NEVI). Part of their plan for this project is to upgrade the already existing EV charging stations and install new ones at other locations. The charging stations should be capable of charging an EV in about 30 minutes. There are also plans of aiding some rural towns as a way to stimulate EV charging stations in local municipalities. Some towns may be exempt from the aid if they are larger municipalities because they would already have some progress with EV charging stations. More charging stations will be installed along the interstate highways.

Arizona has the seventh-highest number of electric vehicles in the country.

Every state has been making more progress with EV charging stations thanks to the NEVI Program. This program is the start of EV charging stations being installed along interstate highways in every state. The goal is to improve charging access in rural areas and make it easier for electric drivers to be able to travel long-distance. Travel has been one of the biggest setbacks for EV drivers because of charging availability.

Some rural areas still have reservations about installing EV charging stations. They worry about the expense it would take to install the infrastructure needed and having access to electricity to some areas of highway makes EV charging more difficult. Some convenience store owners worry the cost of electricity won’t make EV charging stations profitable.

Click here to read the full article. Originally published November 2, 2022, by Arizona Sun Daily.