ODOT release - Oregon’s EV drivers can look forward to over 20 new public DC fast charging station options over the next few years, making long distance travel by electric vehicle more convenient than ever before.  Recently, the ODOT Climate Office selected companies for the second round of grants from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. The federal NEVI program funds public DC fast charging stations along major roads throughout Oregon and the United States.  The grants will fund 24 total charging stations along Interstate 84 and U.S. Highways 20, 26, 97 and 101. Each station will have at least four charging ports — some as many as eight — for a total of 126 new DC fast charging ports.  DC fast charging stations have high-powered ports that can recharge some EVs 10%-80% in less than 30 minutes.  We intend to award $16.7 million in NEVI grants to seven private EV charging companies. We selected them through a competitive process, and we’ll finalize grant contracts with each company over the next few months.  We don’t have precise timeline for the companies to start work on the stations, but we expect several stations will come online over the next 12-18 months.  NEVI is a federal program. By law, we can’t use the money for other purposes like state road or bridge maintenance.  Station locations:  View a Google Map of the proposed NEVI station locations for this grant opportunity.  The private companies chose the station locations. Each station is near food, shopping, supermarkets, and other amenities along major roads.  Visit our NEVI webpage for more details about the stations and the seven selected grantees, including the latest updates from the program’s first grant opportunity.  Coming this summer: NEVI Round 3 - We plan to launch the third NEVI grant opportunity this summer. We’ll focus on filling rural gaps in Oregon’s public DC fast charging network on Interstate 82; Oregon Highway 42; U.S. Highway 95; U.S. Highway 101 south of Reedsport; U.S. Highway 20 east of Bend; and U.S. Highway 26 east of Prineville. About the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program - The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program will establish a nationwide network of public DC fast charging stations in all 50 states over five years along major highways and interstates. The funding comes from the 2021 federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Oregon is allocated $52 million over five years through the program.   The private EV charging companies awarded grant funding will install, own and maintain the NEVI charging stations. The companies must provide a minimum of 20% in matching funds and a five-year maintenance plan for each station.