By Adam Pack
West Virginia, and Lewisburg specifically, will see more electric vehicle charging stations in the future. A press release distributed from the West Virginia Department of Transportation earlier this week states, “The West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) has completed a preliminary plan of proposed locations for electric vehicle charging stations and submitted it to the federal government.”
The West Virginia National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Deployment Plan was submitted on July 28. The plan outlines proposed locations for electric vehicle charging stations throughout the state and includes data on how West Virginia intends to use federal NEVI program funds to develop charging stations along major highways.
The funding for the project will come from federal monies to the tune of $45.7 million spread across five years.
As per the NEVI Deployment Plan, EV charging stations will be added along multiple high traffic and interstate routes within the state, including stations to be added “somewhere near Lewisburg.”
The plan, which is available on the WVDOT’s website, explains that the plan will roll out in phases. “Deployment of the NEVI funds for implementation will occur in two phases. Phase 1 will build out the EV charging stations along the electric AFCs as required by the NEVI plan. It is estimated that this phase will require 12 stations, each with four ports. Based on initial cost estimates, it is projected to require funding from FY2022 and FY2023 of the NEVI program to build out the NEVI AFC station requirement. Phase 2, as previously described in this Plan, will focus on community-based charging. Site selection will be based on NEVI requirements and selection criteria based on statewide priorities and public input.”
EV drivers should expect to see these new stations in approximately the next two years, if things go according to plan.
