Facilities (DOT&PF) has been approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). With the approval of the updated plan, an additional $11 million will be available for the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations throughout the state. This funding is in addition to the $19 million already allocated for fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
The announcement of additional funding includes the approval of all discretionary exception requests. As a result, the solicitation that was conducted earlier this year, along with the sites selected during that solicitation, may be sufficient to build out Phase One, the corridor from Anchorage to Fairbanks, and will move us closer to beginning Phase Two.
"This funding is critical to our goal of minimizing and eliminating existing barriers to electric transportation adoption in Alaska," said AEA Executive Director Curtis W. Thayer. "Expanding Alaska's charging network will give EV drivers peace of mind and confidence, knowing that convenient charging stations await them when traveling for work, recreation, and tourism."
"We're taking a measured approach, with our private sector partners and AEA," said DOT&PF Commissioner Ryan Anderson. "The next phase will be to expand the system we're starting in our most urban areas then moving outward along our highways and eventually to our multimodal system."
Phase One is focused on the build-out of NEVI-required stations along the designated electric Alternative Fuel Corridor (AFC) in Alaska, between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Stations built with NEVI formula funds must have at least four Combined Charging System (CCS) ports capable of 150 kilowatt (kW) output each, for a combined station total power requirement of at least 600 kW. This means at a minimum, four vehicles will be able to charge at once. Some of the selected sites will have eight ports available for charging.
Once Alaska's AFC is "fully built out" and meets FHWA criteria, which could take up to two years, AEA and DOT&PF will use NEVI Formula Program funds to install charging infrastructure along Alaska's Highway (non-AFC) and the Alaska Marine Highway System.
Phase Two will focus on connecting small urban areas, rural communities on the road system, Alaska's road system to Canada, and coastal communities located on the Alaska Marine Highway System.
The NEVI program was created as part of the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and provides dedicated federal funding to states to support the strategic deployment of EV Level 3 Direct Current Fast Charging infrastructure and establish an interconnected network for reliable charging, with an emphasis on locations near interstate highway exits. Alaska is expected to receive $52 million over five years, but must annually submit updated plans to the FHWA on how it will spend the money.
Alaska's NEVI Plan was developed by AEA and DOT&PF in collaboration with EV stakeholders, utilities, communities, and residents.
Check out the updated Alaska EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan here for more information. For future community engagement opportunities, please visit akenergyauthority.org/evs.
About the Alaska Energy Authority
The Alaska Energy Authority is a public corporation of the state. Its mission is to reduce the cost of energy in Alaska. To achieve this mission, AEA strives to diversify Alaska's energy portfolio increasing resiliency, reliability, and redundancy. To learn more, visit akenergyauthority.org.
About the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 237 airports, 9 ferries serving 33 communities along 3,500 marine miles, over 5,600 miles of highway and 839 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to "Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure."
Contact
Brandy M. Dixon
Communications Director
(907) 771-3078
For more information
813 W Northern Lights Blvd
Anchorage Alaska
United States 99503
www.aidea.org/aea
