Governor Whitmer Announces Step Forward in Expanding Michigan’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a significant development in the state’s efforts to capitalize on federal grants to enhance and grow our electric vehicle charging network.

Michigan officials are issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Round 1 of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Grant program. The RFQ application period opens today, May 4, 2023, and closes at 4 p.m. EDT on June 6, 2023.

"Michigan will lead the future of mobility and electrification and today’s announcement will help us bring home federal resources to build out our statewide electric vehicle charging network," said Governor Whitmer. "As a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Michigan will receive $110 million in federal resources specifically to build out electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Launching our state’s NEVI grant program will help us get these dollars into communities efficiently so we can help drivers making the switch to electric traverse our two peninsulas without worrying about where they’re going to charge."

The NEVI charging station deployment program is funded by President Biden’s trillion-dollar Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), signed into law in late 2021. As part of the BIL, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will receive and distribute $110 million in federal formula funds for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure over the next five years. MDOT is making nearly $38 million available for Round 1 funding. The Michigan NEVI program is a contract procurement program and applicants are required to provide a minimum 20-percent match. Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis to plan, design, build, operate, and maintain EV charging station sites across the state.

“We are fully committed to working with our partner agencies in state government and the private sector to create a seamless charging network,” said Brad Wieferich, MDOT acting director.

Per the guidance from U.S. DOT, NEVI formula funds must first be used to "build out" EV chargers along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFC), meaning the chargers must be no more than 50 miles apart and no more than one mile from an exit, and meet other U.S. DOT minimum standards and requirements. Most entities are eligible to apply, however, MDOT will prioritize sites within nodes identified on the Michigan NEVI Planning Map. Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the NEVI program guidance, program requirements, and final rules.

The NEVI formula program, in addition to the state’s Charge Up Michigan program and Lake Michigan EV Circuit Tour Project, helps supports the state goal of deploying enough EV charging equipment to support 2 million electric vehicles on Michigan roads by 2030. This is crucial goal for reaching statewide carbon neutrality by 2050 under the MI Healthy Climate Plan, and continuing Michigan’s leadership in the future of mobility and electrification sector under the MI Future Mobility Plan. While the NEVI program will be administrated by MDOT, a team of state agencies have coordinated to develop the program including the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), and the state’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME).

“The MI Healthy Climate Plan moves Michigan along a bold path to supporting two million electric vehicles with charging infrastructure by 2030,” said EGLE Acting Director Aaron Keatley. “And not only will the NEVI grant program help Michigan shrink its carbon footprint, but reductions in toxic tailpipe air pollution will help Michiganders breathe easier and healthier.”

“With one in five Michigan jobs proudly tied to the automotive sector, the future of electric vehicles is the future of our state’s economy,” said Kathryn Snorrason, interim Chief Mobility Officer at the OFME. “Building a commercially viable charging network with NEVI resources and eliminating charging anxiety is key to Michigan future-proofing our infrastructure, maintaining our global mobility leadership and, most importantly, creating vibrant inclusive communities across the state.”

All RFQ responses must be submitted electronically to MDOT to [email protected] by 4 p.m. EDT on June 6, 2023.

Please submit technical questions about the RFQ by May 29, 2023, to [email protected]. In addition, frequently asked questions and answers will be posted publicly online.
For more information on NEVI funds in Michigan and to review program resources, visit https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/travel/mobility/initiatives. 

In addition to the Michigan NEVI program, federal funding for EV charging stations is available through the U.S. DOT competitive Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) program. The state strongly encourages local governments to pursue these resources as well. Deadlines for applications to CFI’s Round 1 are due May 30, 2023.

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