Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan

MnDOT opened the Round 2 Request for Proposal (RFP) for the NEVI Formula Funds on October 14, 2024. The RFP is for NEVI Formula funded DC Fast Charging stations at 6 locations on I-94 and I-35 to fill gaps from Round 1 and 8 new locations on I-90. The RFP is posted on the NEVI program webpage, under the RFP section at the bottom of the page. Any future updates will be posted on this webpage. Open Round 2 section of the webpage by clicking on the arrow to the right of the Round 2 title.

The timeline for this RFP is:

• October 14, 2024: Application window opened
• October 14 – December 20: Questions accepted. Answers publicly posted weekly.
• January 13, 2025 (12 pm CST): Deadline to submit an application to MnDOT
• April 2025: Round 2 conditional awards announced.

Interested applicants can find the following under the Guidance section:

• View the Round 2 Informational Webinar that took place on October 30, 2024.
• View the most current Fast Charging Interested Partners list (Excel).
• Sign up to be on Fast Charging Interested Partners list.
• Online mapping tool of areas open for proposals

Questions should be emailed to neviproject.dot@state.mn.us. They will be accepted between October 14 and December 20, 2024. Questions and answers will be posted verbatim Tuesday of each week. Do not email NEVI staff directly and do not include self-identifying information. All questions should include:

• RFP document name
• RFP document section #
• RFP page #
• Question

Answers to Questions are Updated Weekly on Tuesdays. This document also contains answers to questions that were asked during the October 30, 2024 webinar.

MnDOT will be releasing the Round 2 Request for Proposal (RFP) for the NEVI Formula Funds on October 14, 2024. The RFP will be for NEVI Formula funded DC Fast Charging stations at 6 locations on I-94 and I-35 to fill gaps from Round 1 and 8 new locations on I-90. The RFP will be posted on the NEVI program webpage. An online mapping tool will be available on that webpage showing the clusters and exits where applicants may propose projects. The application window will close at Noon on January 13, 2025.

An informational webinar about the RFP will be provided on October 30, 2024 at 11:00 AM. Register here for this webinar.

After the RFP opens, written questions can be submitted to MnDOT by emailing neviproject.dot@state.mn.us and answers to the questions will be posted on a rolling basis through December 20,2024. MnDOT staff contacted outside of this process will not be able to answer questions about the RFP. Any other updates about the program will be posted on the NEVI program webpage.

I-90 named an Alternative Fuel Corridor for EV Charging

The Federal Highway Administration, with a team that included the VOLPE Center and the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, reviewed and evaluated the alternative fuel corridor (AFC) nominations based on the information specified in the Round 8 Request for Nominations, dated June 14, 2024. The new corridors provide additional connections to highways designated in the previous rounds and improve coverage of alternative fuels nationwide. As of October 1, 2024, Interstate 90 in Minnesota has been added as an AFC for EV Charging. Details on the AFCs can be found on the FHWA website.

Join the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for an informational session about a unique opportunity to install electric vehicle charging stations. MnDOT is offering to reimburse up to 90% of project costs with grants through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program using a combination of state and federal funds. We anticipate this grant round will open in fall 2024.These sessions will include a short presentation, and time for questions, answers and networking with others interested in the electric vehicle industry. Eligible projects clusters are shown in the map provide as "cluster groups".

What will you learn at these sessions?

• How your business can benefit from offering electric vehicle charging
• What the process is to apply for NEVI grant funds
• What the requirements and expectations are of the program
• How you can partner with other knowledgeable providers to be successful

Where and when are sessions offered?

The following sessions have been scheduled in key interest areas of the state. Space is limited, so please register for the location nearest you, however registration is not required.

Register for an in-person session: https://forms.office.com/g/a2i7S1nDZZ

• August 27 – Rochester

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

MnDOT District 6 Headquarters, 2900 48^th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901-5848

• September 4 – Faribault

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Faribault Chamber of Commerce, 530 Wilson Ave NW, Faribault, MN 55021

• September 5 – St. Paul

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

American Lung Association, 490 Concordia Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55103

• September 5 – Fergus Falls

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Otter Tail County Government Services Center, 500 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

• September 10 – Worthington

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

JBS Field House, 700 2nd Ave, Worthington, MN 56187

Online session:

• September 9 – Online

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Register for the Online session: https://tinyurl.com/yt2krcz3

The Minnesota Department of Transportation announces that 13 grantees have been selected to move to the next step in the process to receive funding from National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. The funds will be used to build and maintain EV fast charging stations across the state. Grant dollars are a part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which is designed to provide a convenient, affordable, reliable and equitable national network of EV chargers.

"This is a critical step in our efforts to make sure no matter where you travel in this great state, you're able to quickly charge your electric vehicle and get back on the road exploring Minnesota," said Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. "The NEVI program provides every state the opportunity to build out much needed fast charging stations for electric vehicles. We appreciate hearing from so many Minnesotans in this process and your input will help to continue building this infrastructure across our state."

MnDOT selected 13 locations from 38 applicants along the designated I-94 and I-35 Alternative Fuel Corridors. Combined, those selected will receive more than $7.8 million dollars in funding to build, own and operate fast charging stations.

Locations selected

• Circle K Stores, Moorhead - $497,735
• Pilot Travel Centers, Alexandria - $783,554
• Circle K Stores, Sauk Center - $497,735
• Universal EV, St. Cloud - $590,952
• Kwik Trip, St. Michael - $660,662
• Francis Energy Charging, Brooklyn Park - $758,677
• Circle K Stores, Proctor - $497,735
• Circle K Stores, Pine City - $302,281
• Kwik Trip, North Branch - $596,035
• Kwik Trip, Moose Lake - $746,764
• Circle K Stores, Forest Lake - $497,735
• Francis Energy Charging, Burnsville - $828,952
• Tesla, Albert Lea - $546,512

The sites that were selected met the following requirements:

• Located no more than 50 miles apart along the Alternative Fuel Corridor
• Located less than one mile driving distance from an interstate exit
• Have a minimum of four 150 kW charging ports able to operate simultaneously
• Are open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no entry fee to access the chargers

The next steps for the 13 locations include finalizing contracts, conducting environmental reviews and finalizing site designs. Station installations are expected within the next year.

MnDOT is also planning for the next round of funding and has begun outreach efforts to learn more about what Minnesotans think about possible locations and additional priorities that can help in the selection process.

To learn more, sign up for updates or to take the survey, go to talk.dot.state.mn.us/mnevina. Additional information can be found on the NEVI webpage at mndot.gov/nevi.

MnDOT is hosting an informational webinar on the NEVI Annual Plan update on June 18, 2024 from 11 AM – Noon. We will share information about what has taken place over the past year, with a focus on the first round of NEVI funded charging stations, as well as plans for the next year. This webinar is open to anyone interested in this project. Register for the webinar

Update Webinar

MnDOT held a webinar on September 18, 2023, to provide an update on the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. A narrated power point presentation and Question and Answer document from that webinar are now available under the Resources section of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program in Minnesota webpage.

Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator – Notice of Funding Opportunity

The Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is now open for applications on grants.gov.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program as the first major Federal funding program that focuses on a nationwide deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Of the NEVI Formula Program, 10 percent is set-aside for the Secretary of Transportation “to make grants to States and localities that require additional assistance to strategically deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure.” This first round of grant funding set-aside from the NEVI Formula Program will be for the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator to focus on repairing or replacing broken or non-operational EV chargers to improve the reliability of existing EV charging infrastructure. This NOFO offers up to $100 million from Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023. The deadline for application is November 13, 2023.

Eligible projects include those that support the repair or replacement of existing broken or non-operational publicly accessible Level 2 or Direct Current Fast Charging EV chargers. This program will be informed by data from the Alternative Fuels Station Locator. See NOFO for more information.

Eligible Applicants are State DOTs and Local Governments. MnDOT will not be applying for this funding opportunity.

More information on this NOFO and the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator is available at: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/nevi/evc_raa/.

Additionally, State Funds may be available to provide technical assistance to local agencies wanting to apply for Federal Discretionary Grants. Please see that application at https://www.dot.state.mn.us/stateaid/iija-state.html

2023 NEVI Update Approved

MnDOT submitted the Annual NEVI update to FHWA on July 31, 2023. On September 29, 2023 MnDOT was notified that the update had been approved by FHWA. With this approval, Fiscal Year 2024 funds are now available to MnDOT for obligation. The 2023 Minnesota Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan and 2023 Appendices can be found on the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program in Minnesota webpage.

NEVI Grants Webpage

MnDOT will be funding the first round of investments of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program through grants to third parties. We have created a new webpage called National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program in Minnesota. The page has information on eligibility, anticipated timeline and how to get ready to apply. Additional information, to include the Request for Proposal, will be posted on this page when it is available.

Update Webinar/Q&A

MnDOT will host an update webinar on the NEVI project with time for participant questions on September 18, 2023 from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Register for the webinar