Wisconsin has approved 42 new EV fast-charging sites with $25 million in federal backing as it expands its network statewide.
Here's what to know
The funding will bring DC fast chargers to several communities across Wisconsin, including Eagle River, Sturgeon Bay, Viroqua, and Prairie du Chien, according to Electrek.
These projects are funded through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which requires every site to include at least four CCS ports capable of providing 150 kilowatts at the same time. At minimum, that setup means Wisconsin will gain 168 new fast-charging ports.
The new stations are expected at hotels, gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and similar businesses where drivers can eat or run errands while charging.
WisDOT said the awarded locations will feature charging equipment from Tesla, Autel, and Gilbarco. Named sites include a Woodman's grocery store in Madison; hotels in Boscobel, Dodgeville, Eagle River, Oconomowoc, Richland Center, and Watertown; and Kwik Trip stores in Belgium, Coloma, Prairie du Chien, River Falls, Sturgeon Bay, and Whitewater.
The department has not said how many of the new stations will include NACS connectors, though 93% of chargers online have them.
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More background
Wisconsin has satisfied NEVI's spacing requirement, which calls for funded stations to be no more than 50 miles apart along the state's designated Alternative Fuel Corridors.
Reaching that benchmark lets the state steer additional federal money toward secondary roads that were not eligible in the first two rounds of funding. That means charging can now expand onto heavily traveled routes and state highways.
A broader public network makes buying an electric vehicle more practical.
What's being done?
WisDOT has committed $62.1 million in NEVI funding to 120 charging sites statewide, according to Electrek.
Those grants can pay for up to 80% of eligible project expenses, with awardees covering at least the remaining 20%. Wisconsin NEVI awards have produced 26 operational stations.
WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said, "From the start, we've planned an EV charging station network that will benefit both EV drivers and Wisconsin communities. The stations provide fast charging at convenient locations where drivers can also take care of other errands while charging up."
Where can I learn more?
Wisconsin is moving toward a charging network people can use in more of their day-to-day driving. The articles below follow that shift in Wisconsin, along with other fast-charging expansions across the country.
• Wisconsin launched a $40 million push to add chargers along major highway corridors.
• Across rural Wisconsin, new fast-charging stations are operational with NEVI backing and traveler amenities.
• In the Southeast, fast-charging EV infrastructure is expanding through a regional PowerUp America effort.
EV charging is becoming a bigger part of road trips and everyday driving. In that context, Wisconsin's awards could inspire and influence well beyond the interstate map.
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