Bismarck, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to deploy funding for privately owned and operated electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers that support long-distance EV travel along interstate alternative fuel corridors (I-94 and I-29).
The NOFO will be used to distribute North Dakota’s approximately $25.9 million portion of the Federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program formula funds. These funds will be used to build EV fast charging sites no more than 50 miles apart and within one mile off exits along I-94 and I-29 interstates.
“This funding opportunity is an exciting moment for the NDDOT and for North Dakota,” said Russ Buchholz, NDDOT Project Manager. “Installing these chargers means more reliable, accessible highways and a better driving experience for both North Dakota residents and out-of-state visitors.”
The NOFO will focus on the acquisition, design, construction and five years of operation and maintenance. Ownership of EV fast charging stations will remain private. The federal program will pay up to 80% of the project costs, which may include operations and maintenance.
The NOFO is available on the NDDOT website at www.dot.nd.gov/nevi. Applications are due on August 9, 2024, with notice of awards given approximately 90 days later. Applicants can submit questions to NDDOT before July 12; questions will be answered on a weekly basis.
More information about the NOFO and NEVI Program can be found on NDDOT EV Plan webpage at www.dot.nd.gov/nevi.
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About the NEVI Program
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), passed in 2021, has dedicated funds available for the development of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. As part of the BIL, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program will distribute five billion dollars ($5B) over the next five years (FY 2022-2026) to state departments of transportation for the development of DC fast charging (DCFC) infrastructure. This infrastructure is intended to serve long-distance EV travel along alternative fuel corridors.
To access NEVI funds, North Dakota was required to submit a plan by August 1, 2022, demonstrating how the network will meet requirements set by the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Transportation’s Joint Office for EV Infrastructure Deployment. The Joint Office has indicated that by the end of the five-year program, all interstates should be fully built out, and the remainder of the funding can be dedicated to other priority corridors as identified by each state.