Southern Indiana Business Report
INDIANAPOLIS – A major rollout of funding to expand the state’s electric vehicle charging network was announced last week.
The Indiana Department of Transportation selected 39 sites along Indiana’s interstate highways system to receive funds from the first round of EV fast charging stations that will be funded by the Charging the Crossroads program, INDOT’s plan to expand Indiana’s statewide electric vehicle charging network through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program
Ferdinand and Leavenworth, two communities in the Radius Indiana region, were among the 39 announced sites. In Ferdinand,, the EV station will be built at Quality Inn & Suites, located off I-64, Exit 63. In Leavenworth, the charging station will be installed at Love’s Travel Stops, located off I-64, Exit 92.
The Radius region has several EV charging stations already, locations include Bedford, Washington and Jasper area.
INDOT received more than 100 applications from potential sites.
“Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to expanding reliable charging infrastructure across Indiana,” INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith said. “We look forward to working together with selected site owner-operators and contractors to build out the state’s EV charging network.”
INDOT expects the installation of initial charging stations to begin in 2025. A full list of awarded sites can be found here.
Later this year, INDOT anticipates the release of a second NOFO for the Charging the Crossroads program focused on addressing remaining gaps in the state’s EV charging network. Charging stations must be installed every 50 miles along Indiana’s AFCs, within one mile of an intersection or interchange to meet federal build out requirements.
Interested potential applicants are encouraged to register with INDOT’s EV Partner Directory and sign up for program updates at ChargingtheCrossroads.com.
The NEVI program was created by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with the goal of deploying a national network of at least 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2030 to reduce range anxiety and encourage wider adoption of electric vehicles. The program is authorized at nearly $5 billion nationally over the next five years and Indiana is expected to receive nearly $100 million in NEVI funds to expand the state’s charging network. NEVI will fund up to 80 percent of the installation of EV charging stations and up to five years of operations and maintenance. The remaining costs would be funded by site owner-operators.
In-person and virtual public meetings to provide updates and gather feedback on the Charging the Crossroads program are anticipated to take place this spring and summer. More information about the program is available at ChargingtheCrossroads.com.