The U.S. Department of Transportation is halting funding for a federal program that helps states build stations for electric vehicles.
In a letter to state transportation directors Thursday, the federal agency said its new leaders want to “review the policies underlying the implementation” of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, or NEVI, program.
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The NEVI program was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by then-President Joe Biden in 2021. It set aside about $5 billion to help states create a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations. The North Carolina Department of Transportation expects to receive up to $109 million to build electric vehicle infrastructure along its corridors, according to its website.
The state submitted its EV station plans to the federal agency in September.
The NEVI program requires the Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, to approve each state’s plan before providing funds. Under Duffy, the department is rescinding program guidance developed by the Biden administration so that it can collect public input and release new guidance this spring, the letter says.
In the meantime, the federal government will reimburse states with projects already underway. That means the North Carolina DOT can still move forward with $5.9 million worth of construction of nine stations, the state department told WRAL in a statement. Here’s where those EV stations will be located:
- Firehouse Subs on U.S. Highway 17 in Elizabeth City
- Love’s Travel Stop on Interstate 40 in Marion
- Pilot Travel Centers on Interstate 40 in Warsaw
- Pilot Travel Centers on Interstate 77 in Candor
- Breakfastime on Interstate 77 in Jonesville
- Northlake Mall on Interstate 77 in Charlotte
- Piggly Wiggly on U.S. Highway 17 in Leland
- Publix on U.S. Highway 70 in New Bern
- Roses Plaza on U.S. Highway 64 in Williamston.