Governor Evers Signs Bill Designed to Jump-Start Creation of Electric Vehicle Charging Network

Sunday, March 24th, 2024 -- 9:00 AM

(AP) Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed bipartisan bills Wednesday designed to jump-start creation of an electric vehicle charging network along the state’s interstate system and major highways.

The new laws free up nearly $80 million in federal construction aid and makes it easier for gas stations, convenience stores and other businesses to operate the electric vehicle charging stations.

The measures were backed by businesses and environmentalists alike and cheered as a way for Wisconsin to expand its electric vehicle charging network. The funding is designed to support Level 3 charging stations, which will allow for passenger electric vehicles to be recharged in less than an hour.

Lower level chargers are designed to recharge a vehicle overnight or throughout the day. Federal guidance calls for stations no more than 50 miles (80 kilometers) apart. Wisconsin currently has nearly 580 publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations.

The state Department of Transportation has said it expects to use the $78.7 million in federal grants to support building 65 high-speed charging stations in key corridors using the federal funding unlocked through enactment of the new laws.

One bill Evers signed allows for the creation of an EV infrastructure program to help businesses construct charging stations over the next five years. The grants would cover up to 80% of costs; grant recipients would have to put up the remaining 20%.

The funding was part of $7.5 billion included in the 2021 infrastructure law passed to meet President Joe Biden’s goal to build a national network of 500,000 publicly available chargers by 2030.

The charging ports are a key part of Biden’s effort to encourage drivers to move away from gasoline-powered cars and trucks that contribute to global warming.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.