Rhode Island has become the first state to launch Phase 2 of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which focuses on a community-based EV charging approach. It probably helps that Rhode Island is the smallest state in the U.S., but we won’t hold that against them.

Governor Dan McKee, the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER), and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) made the announcement Thursday. Phase 2 of the NEVI program offers an initial $10 million in competitive funding for EV charging infrastructure, open to public, non-profit, and private entities so long as all installations are made publicly accessible.

Established by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the NEVI program provides $28.5 million in combined federal and state funding to Rhode Island. During Phase 1, a portion was used to develop the Alternative Fuel Corridor. This summer, Rhode Island became the first state in the nation to complete the first phase of the program by installing fast chargers at two Park & Ride locations.

Phase 2 is a competitive application process aimed at installing a minimum of 10 publicly accessible DC Fast Chargers and 100 such Level 2 chargers across Rhode Island. Level 2 chargers are ideal for locations where vehicles are parked for a few hours, like shopping centers, as they provide a full charge in 4–6 hours. DC Fast Chargers offer rapid charging, providing an 80% charge in about 20–30 minutes, making them suitable for quick stops along highways or busy routes.

“Rhode Island continues to be a leader across the nation in clean transportation,” said Governor Dan McKee. “This program is crucial to supporting the adoption of EVs and creating an equitable and accessible future for Rhode Islanders.”

“It’s about to get a lot more convenient to drive an electric vehicle around Rhode Island thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” predicted Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a senior member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and keynote speaker at this year’s GridTECH Connect Forum in Newport, RI. “With more folks making the switch to electric vehicles to save money over the long run, it’s exciting to see Rhode Island leading the buildout of America’s charging station infrastructure.”

Businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, non-profits, and Tribal organizations are eligible to apply for the program, which offers up to 80% federal funding. Applicants are required to match 20% in funding, although additional matching contributions are encouraged. 

The maximum funding per site is set at $1 million for DC Fast Chargers, $250,000 for Level 2 chargers, and up to $1.25 million for sites featuring a combination of both DC Fast Chargers and Level 2 chargers. Each location must include a minimum of four charging ports, which can be a mix of DC Fast Chargers and Level 2 units. The application intake period will begin on November 14, 2024, and close on February 28, 2025.

The Biden-Harris Administration’s goal is to build 500,000 EV chargers in the U.S. by 2030. There are currently more than 200,000 publicly available chargers less than three years after the NEVI program was signed into law, according to Acting Federal Highway Administrator Kristin White.

“Rhode Island remains at the forefront of this initiative, from installing public charging stations under our initial pilot back in 2020 to today, being the first station in the country to launch Phase 2 of the NEVI program,” added Peter Alviti Jr., director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. “This additional investment will further ease any range anxiety electric vehicle drivers may have, giving them confidence that charging stations are readily available to them.”

Applications and program guidance for Phase 2 of the program are available here.