The US Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have issued new provisional guidance for the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, following a court decision that resumed funding after it was previously withheld.
The latest directive emphasizes allocating funds to electric vehicle (EV) charging locations that provide dependable, reliable infrastructure. It also establishes minimum quality standards for installation and maintenance of federally funded chargers while giving states greater responsibility in determining how funds are deployed.
However, the new interim final rule is considered narrower than prior guidance. Earlier standards included provisions such as a 50-mile maximum spacing requirement between charging stations, directives for community engagement in rural and disadvantaged areas, and consideration of resilience factors (such as extreme weather and evacuation planning). These measures were intended to ensure consistent coverage and equitable access across states.
Under the revised guidance, many of these provisions are rescinded. States now have the flexibility to determine the spacing between charging stations, to minimize requirements for grid integration and renewable energy, and to scale back engagement with disadvantaged or rural communities. Requirements to address consumer protections, emergency evacuation needs, labor standards, and resilience planning have also been eliminated.
Although the new federal guidance sets only a baseline, states retain the option to pursue more comprehensive deployment strategies. Policy experts recommend that state-level agencies continue applying earlier best practices, including maintaining regular station spacing, prioritizing underserved communities, and integrating chargers with broader clean energy strategies to strengthen resilience and grid stability.
The NEVI program remains a cornerstone of the national effort to expand public charging infrastructure, with 84% of funds still unallocated. As states resubmit plans under the revised rules, their decisions will shape the pace and reliability of the country’s EV charging network for years to come.
Key standards in NEVI guidance:
- Installation, operation, and maintenance by qualified technicians to ensure consistent quality and reliability nationwide (Federal Register)
- Interoperability, enabling secure communication between chargers, EVs, and charging networks
- Network connectivity, data-sharing, and cybersecurity provisions
- Public transparency, including requirements for charger location, pricing, and real-time status via open APIs
- State flexibility to determine charger spacing, site selection, and build-out timelines
- Rescission of prior mandates on community engagement, disadvantaged community benefits, labor standards, and resilience planning
Summary of changes:
- Minimizes the content in state plans to statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Simplifies the state plan approval process.
- Aligns community engagement with regulatory requirements and reduces consultation requirements to advance projects.
- Provides states with flexibility to determine the appropriate distance between stations along alternative fuel corridors to allow for reasonable travel.
- Minimizes requirements for states to consider electric grid integration and renewable energy
- Accelerates project delivery by encouraging selection of charging locations where station owners are also the site host.
- Eliminates requirements for states to address consumer protections, emergency evacuation plans, environmental siting, resilience and terrain considerations.
- Provides states with more flexibility to determine when their system is built out allowing NEVI funds to be used on public roads statewide.
Filed Under: Charging, Technology News