Idaho‘s EV Charging Infrastructure Plan Back on Track After Funding Halt
BOISE, Idaho – Federal funding for Idaho’s electric vehicle infrastructure plan was put on hold earlier this year, leaving the initiative in limbo. But just weeks ago, Idaho was told it would receive the last chunk of money it needed to finish the plan.
john Tomlinson, communications manager at the Idaho Transportation Department, saeid since 2022, Idaho, among other states, has been in the process of developing a plan to help bring more electric vehicle charging stations nationwide.
Under the Biden Administration, federal funds were allocated under the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, known as “NEVI.”
“The goal of this program… get those drivers, get their electric vehicles were they need to go safely and securely,” Tomlinson said.
Over the course of five years, starting in 2022 and ending in 2026, Idaho was projected to receive about $29 million to work on the project.
The Idaho Transportation Department, with help from other state agencies, has been working on draft designs, public hearings and input sessions, and engagement studies. And in 2024, the groups published a plan that established 40 possible charging locations along interstate highways.
But in February, a federal executive order halted the program.
idaho’s Electric Vehicle Charging Plan Receives Federal Approval, Future Funding Remains a Question
Idaho’s plan to build out a network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the state has received approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FWHA) in November, according to Brian Tomlinson, a transportation planner with the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD).This approval allows the state to move forward with planning for the use of the remaining funds from the National Electric Vehicle infrastructure (NEVI) program.
The initial request for NEVI funds was previously paused due to concerns regarding the plan’s feasibility.Despite the resumption of applications, uncertainty remained about whether Idaho would be reapproved for the final year of NEVI program funding, which is set to conclude after fiscal year 2026.
“We were cautiously optimistic,” Tomlinson stated.
The approved plan focuses on strategically placing charging stations, initially targeting locations approximately every 50 miles along key corridors. Though, Tomlinson emphasized that this is not a rigid plan. ITD and collaborating state groups will reconvene to evaluate the initial proposal based on public feedback and further analysis.
“Those are not set in stone. That was just a plan that we wanted to put out there based off of the feedback that we heard from the public and working with that interagency working group,” Tomlinson explained. “We’re going to see, is that wise to keep that 50 mile or is it better to, you know, make those spread out a little further, maybe not as many stations. We don’t have the answers to that, but that’s what we’re going to be looking into.”
Currently, Idaho has just over 14,000 registered electric vehicles, according to data from the Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).https://itd.idaho.gov/vehicle-services/vehicle-registration-statistics/ The charging infrastructure plan aims to support both Idaho residents and the growing number of EV-driving tourists.
“This is an opportunity where we can see more goods and services, more people coming to the gem state to be able to recreate and to visit, and that’s great for our economy,” Tomlinson said.
while the federal funds cover the planning phase, the next step is to secure funding for the actual construction of the charging stations, as well as determine ownership and operational responsibilities.
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