Statewide Iowa — The Iowa Department of Transportation is taking public input on the plan to develop a network of electric vehicle charging stations across the state. The DOT’s Stuart Anderson says the state will get 50 million in federal dollars over five years for the program called the National Electric Vehicle infrastructure program.
The state can only use the funds in areas that are designated as alternative fuel corridors.
He says once that system is fully built out, then the funds can be used to expand charging infrastructure elsewhere across the state. Anderson says the charging stations will require a relatively significant amount of electricity.
Some businesses have already installed electric vehicle charging stations, and Anderson says the chargers can be anywhere that meets the guidelines.
Level three is the fastest method of charging, and level one is the slowest. Anderson encourages anyone with comments on the proposal to let them know. He says the comments will have the most impact if they are given before June 24th.
Anderson says they will continue to accept comments after June 24th, but will start working on the proposal. The plan is due August 1st, and then it has to be reviewed and approved at the federal level. Anderson says they expect federal approval will be done by September 30th, and then they can start the process to identify the locations and a process for procuring them. He says every state has money from the federal government for this type of plan, and that means there is demand for the equipment, so it could take one year or more to get everything installed.
As Anderson said, the website to make comments is www.iowadot.gov/iowaevplan.
