AEA Submits EV Charging Corridor Plan
STEVANOVICIGOR | ENVATO
Plug and Play
Upon approval, the National Electrical Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act would distribute $50 million to Alaska over five years to build a network of EV charging stations.
The State of Alaska Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Implementation Plan was developed in collaboration with multiple state agencies, local governments, utilities, and other stakeholder groups.
“Alaskans have an incredible opportunity to benefit from these federal infrastructure investments,” says AEA Executive Director Curtis W. Thayer. “This plan builds on Alaska’s interest in clean transportation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and ensuring that Alaskans and visitors alike have a reliable, convenient network of EV chargers.”
If approved, the funds will be received by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) and administered by AEA for the duration of the program.
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April 2024
“We are pleased to partner with AEA, an agency that shares our commitment to Alaskans,” says DOT&PF Commissioner Ryan Anderson. “Together, we combine AEA’s expertise in energy infrastructure with DOT&PF’s knowledge of Alaskans’ distinct transportation needs, allowing us to ensure EV charging infrastructure investments by the state are strategic, coordinated, efficient, and equitable.”
Alternative Fuel Corridor
Since the corridor plan was drafted in July, chargers have been installed in strategic spots, such as Soldotna.
ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY
The plan prioritizes the installation of EV charging stations every 50 miles along the state’s designated Alternative Fuel Corridor (AFC), which is the 358 miles of Glenn and Parks Highways between Anchorage and Fairbanks. The new charging stations must have at least four EV fast charging ports and be located within one travel mile of the highway.
The NEVI Program provides formula funding to states to award grants to private, public, and nonprofit entities to build, own, maintain, and operate chargers. The program pays up to 80 percent of eligible costs for charging infrastructure. Neither AEA nor DOT&PF plans to own or operate any EV chargers.
The Plan outlines a strategy for using the NEVI formula funds to deliver EV charging infrastructure that will enable light-duty EV travel and alleviate range anxiety.
The NEVI program also allocates $2.5 billion for discretionary grants to support charging stations along other highway corridors and community charging grants. The Joint Office will provide additional guidance for discretionary grants in Fall 2022.
Although the plan has been submitted, AEA continues to accept public input or questions at electricvehicles@akenergyauthority.org.
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