Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How does this funding help the state of Wyoming?

A: The Federal funding for EV charging infrastructure will help Wyoming meet current and anticipated demand for electric vehicles, especially by tourists visiting the state. Without it, tourists who drive EVs could be stranded without services or may bypass Wyoming entirely in favor of states with more robust EV infrastructure. Tourism is Wyoming's second-largest industry, and EV infrastructure can help bring tourists to the state. 

Q: What happens if the state does not allocate all of the available Federal NEVI formula funding?

A: The Federal Highway Administration will take control of the funds. If they aren’t spent in Wyoming, they will be allocated to other states. Regardless of who is spending it, this funding is required to be spent on EV infrastructure; it cannot be used on roads or bridges. 

Q: Will any of the EV infrastructure be state owned, operated or maintained?

A: Currently there are no plans to use state funds in the NEVI formula funding program to own, construct, operate or maintain EV charging stations.

Q: Where will the stations be located?

A: WYDOT's NEVI Plan outlines that the first two fiscal years of funding will go toward seven charging stations along the interstates in the following locations: Laramie, Pine Bluffs, Douglas, Buffalo, Sundance, Wheatland and Sheridan. Businesses or communities who bid on these stations will include in their bids where the station will be placed within those towns to ensure compliance with Federal requirements, local zoning ordinances and other considerations. 

VW settlement money has been set aside to provide access to funds to communities and businesses not initially on the interstates. More information about the funding will be available later. 

Q: How did you select the corridors and routes?

A: The NEVI program requires that states build out Alternative Fuel Corridors first. In Wyoming, those are the three interstates. If there are remaining funds after the corridors have been certified as complete by the US DOT, they may be spent off-corridor.

 

Q: I am located on a corridor but your NEVI Plan does not include a station in my city/town. Can I still apply for funding?

A: Towns outside of the seven indicated on Wyoming's NEVI Plan (Laramie, Pine Bluffs, Douglas, Buffalo, Sundance, Wheatland and Sheridan) can apply for funding, but preference will be given to entities within the seven locations. Due to economic feasibility concerns, additional stations in towns that already have NEVI-sized stations will not be considered.  

Q: Did WYDOT ask for an exception to the 50-mile requirement?

A:  Yes, Wyoming’s NEVI plan requested an exception in some cases to the 50-mile requirement along interstates. Of the eight 50-mile exemptions Wyoming requested, only one was approved. Wyoming expects to ask for exemptions to the 50 mile requirement again in future years. 

Q: Are there plans to install charging stations at the rest areas?

A: No, the Federal Government does not allow the commercialization of federally-supported rest areas. 

Q: Will Wyoming’s harsh winters impact EV usage in the state?

A: EVs will be given no special treatment. Much like gas-powered vehicles, drivers will need to plan ahead for proper fuel stops and will need to watch the weather closely as they travel. 

Q: Does WYDOT have any data about tourist usage of EVs?

A: No, currently WYDOT does not have exact numbers of out-of-state EV usage. However, we know that about 2% of vehicles nationwide are EVs, which we can use with the annual average daily traffic to get some approximate numbers.

 
Q: How will EV drivers pay fuel tax?

A: Currently, drivers with EVs registered in Wyoming pay a $200 road maintenance fee as part of their vehicle registration each year. However, currently there is no way for WYDOT to collect fuel tax from out-of-state EV drivers on Wyoming roads. WYDOT is working with the Wyoming Legislature and other state agencies to update statute and policy to address this issue. 

Q: Is WYDOT working with other state/local/national entities on this strategy?

A: Yes! Some of WYDOT’s partners include the state agencies in the Zero Emission Vehicle Working Group as well as regional partners in the Mountain West through ChargeWest. Other partnerships include the National Park Service, local utility companies and local nonprofits like Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities. 

Q: When is this funding available?

A: Federal rules and regulations for NEVI funding are expected to be released soon. Once those are released, WYDOT will work with a consultant to draft a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the inital seven NEVI stations. When the NEVI RFP is released, the state will also release an RFP for the VW Settlement funding.  
 

Q: Do you have any resources for businesses trying to decide if they want to invest in an EV charging station?

A: We recommend contacting your local Wyoming Small Business Development Center Network advisor and check out the Federal Toolkit for Planning and Funding Rural Electric Mobility Infrastructure

Q: I want EV charging stations in my town/at my business, where do I start?

A: More information is expected soon. We recommend keeping an eye on this website for updates or sending us an email. 

 

US DOT compiles "Charging Forward: A Toolkit for Planning and Funding Rural Electric Mobility Infrastructure"

This toolkit is intended for a variety of rural stakeholders, including States, local communities, Tribes, transportation providers, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals.

The toolkit focuses on infrastructure for light-duty electric passenger vehicles (such as sedans, sport utility vehicles, and pickup trucks), but also addresses funding opportunities and planning considerations for other types of electric vehicles, including transit and school buses, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, and agricultural equipment such as tractors.

To access both the web-based or PDF versions of the kit, click here. 

 

 

 

 

 

This toolkit covers the stages of EV infrastructure development in the following sections:

• Electric Vehicle Basics
• Benefits and Challenges of Rural Vehicle Electrification
• Partnership Opportunities
• EV Infrastructure Planning for Rural Areas
• EV Infrastructure Funding and Financing for Rural Areas
• Resources for EV Infrastructure Planning
• Environmental Statutes and Executive Orders
   

EEI develops EV program database

Edison Electric Institute developed an EV Program database to support customers in their transportation electrification efforts. The database includes investor-owned electric company offerings related to electric transportation, including make-ready programs, EV rates, fleet advisory services, charging station incentives, EV incentives, vehicle-grid integration pilots, and more.

Customers can utilize the EEI EV Program database to quickly locate programs that are available or pending in their state, what the programs include, the intended target customers for the program, and links to more information. Information on programs is provided by EEI member companies on a voluntary basis and may not reflect all current EV-related offerings. EEI will update the database quarterly to reflect any new programs that have been approved by state regulators and any changes to existing programs.

Please fill out the form to access the database.