The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has partnered with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control (DNREC), and have submitted a proposal to the federal government seeking approximately $18 million in funding for more charging stations along major routes across the state.
The project is expected to take five years, going through three phases to completion. According to a press release from DelDOT, the funding would come from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
DelDOT has planned out the phases, and wants to use the funding from the IIJA to:
- Phase 1: locate five new charging stations around the state, meeting a requirement with the BIL funding that EV charging stations be available at least every 50 miles along major travel routes identified by the federal government: I-95, SR 1, U.S. 13 and U.S. 113. Subject to additional data and public input, the general targeted areas are the I-95 Biden Welcome Center near Newark, Dover, Rehoboth Beach, Laurel and Selbyville.
- Phase 2: locate six additional charging stations in additional areas along the identified corridors, meeting a state goal of every-25-mile availability. Subject to additional data and public input, the general targeted areas are Middletown, Smyrna, Harrington, Milford, Bridgeville and Georgetown.
- Phase 3: locate charging stations in high-density residential areas, focusing on areas with multi-family housing and/or street parking in areas that may not otherwise have convenient charging options.
Through a competitive process after additional planning and public input, operators, and locations of the electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations would be chosen. EV drivers would pay for the use of the chargers.
The National Electrical Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program aims to install half a million EV charging stations across the country by 2030, making it easier to travel with EV's.
“Tailpipe emissions from our vehicles are the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions both here in Delaware and across the country. Making it easier for Delawareans to choose to drive electric is a key strategy in Delaware’s Climate Action Plan,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “The federal funding made available through the NEVI program accelerates our efforts in Delaware to not just reduce transportation emissions, but improve air quality in our communities, improve public health and expand transportation choices.”
DelDOT Secretary Nicole Majeski said installing charging stations here and around the country will increase consumer confidence that purchasing an electric vehicle is a practical choice, and is good for Delaware. “Increased temperatures, sea level rise and more frequent and intense storms and flooding take a toll on our transportation network,” Majeski said. “Accelerating our transition to cleaner transportation is essential to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Further development of the plan will include engagement from industry, environmental and community stakeholders.
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Source: DelDOT
