Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more common each year, even in rural areas like the Big Country. As EV popularity grows, the need for charging stations becomes crucial. To meet this demand, cities across Texas are adding EV chargers along major TXDOT roadways. The Abilene Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is working to expand the state’s charging infrastructure, following the guidelines set by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program.
Created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021, NEVI provides funding for strategically placing EV chargers and developing a network to collect data, ensure access, and improve reliability.
In its first phase, NEVI set requirements for EV placement and allocated $5 billion nationwide. For Texas, the goal is to add around 56 new charging stations to ensure compliance with the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) requirement that stations be no more than 50 miles apart.
Phase Two, which began with the Texas Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan by TxDOT, addresses logistical details such as plan approval, contracting, funding, and operational considerations. As part of this phase, the Abilene MPO is set to receive a one-time construction fund of $1 million, along with a five-year budget of $200,000 for operations and maintenance.
Related topics:
- Longview MPO Seeks Public Input on EV Charger Locations
- Autel Revolutionizes EV Charging with New DC Fast Charger
- EU’s Charger Directive Forces Apple to Discontinue Older iPhones
