State of Montana Slated to Receive Nearly $43 Million in Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Funding

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DEQ and MDT to Host Webinar on April 4

 

HELENA—National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding is coming to Montana. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law late last year, includes $7.5 billion to support a national electric vehicle charging network. Of that total, $5 billion will go to states under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI). Montana will receive nearly $43 million through the formula program to fund direct-current fast charging (DCFC) infrastructure along interstate and U.S. highway corridors over the next five years.

The funding will be administered by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) in collaboration with the Energy Office at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). This partnership will work together to leverage MDT’s expertise in transportation funding and planning with DEQ’s experience in planning and deployment of electric vehicle infrastructure.

“The Montana Energy Office at DEQ has developed expertise in electric vehicle charging infrastructure through the 2017 settlement with Volkswagen,” said DEQ Director Chris Dorrington. “Efficient distribution of these new federal funds will support on-going private investment in this growing area of need for electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Montana.”

The federal funding can cover up to 80 percent of the costs associated with the electric vehicle charging infrastructure and the remainder will come from private investment—meaning state funds will not need to be used to match. DEQ’s Fast Charge Your Ride Program awarded funding in 2021 using the same cost share model to partner with private entities.

“This is a great opportunity for Montana to combine federal funding with private investment to create 21st century transportation infrastructure,” said MDT Director Mack Long. “Government works best when it works together with the private sector. This program will be a great opportunity to display effective public-private partnerships that serve the traveling public in Montana.”

The funding will initially be limited to highway corridors that have been designated as Alternative Fuel Corridors by the Federal Highway Administration. In Montana that includes Interstate 15, Interstate 90 and Interstate 94, along with U.S. Highway 2 and Highway 93 will be the focus.

Montana must develop and submit an “Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan” by Aug. 1. DEQ will lead the development of the plan in coordination with MDT. A virtual information session is planned for April 4 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone interested in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, sharing information or commenting on the development of the plan is encouraged to attend the webinar.

For more information, visit the following links:

WYDOT Announces Strategy for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Funding

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22 March 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WYDOT announces strategy for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Wyoming will soon receive National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula funds to use to facilitate electric vehicle infrastructure development, especially charging stations, around the state.

The funding is part of the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), signed by President Biden in November 2021. The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is allocated $3.9 million this year and expects $5 million each year for the next four years for a total of $23.96 million for EV infrastructure over five years.

In preparation to execute NEVI funding and other program incentives, the state has developed a Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy and will circulate the strategy over the next month to allow the public and interested parties to provide comments and feedback.

“These stations will not only be powered by Wyoming energy, but will help facilitate tourism around the state,” said Director Luke Reiner. “We want drivers who choose EVs to have safe and reliable ways to charge their vehicles as they drive in our state. This has been an inter-agency effort to maximize available resources for our residents and visitors.”

Wyoming’s interstates have been designated as “Alternative Fuel Corridors” and under the NEVI program must have infrastructure installed first. Corridor infrastructure must adhere to guidelines set by the NEVI Program Joint Office for charger efficiency, location, and accessibility. Once the interstate corridors are complete, remaining funding can be spent along other key routes to popular destinations like Yellowstone National Park and Devil’s Tower National Monument.

No state funds will be used to build, maintain or operate EV charging infrastructure through the NEVI program. Instead, the company who bids on the corridor will pay the required match amount to the Federal funds.

In addition to the NEVI funding, the BIL outlined $2.5 billion in discretionary grants available to eligible applicants, including state and local governments, special purpose districts, tribes and other groups or entities. The state also has VW settlement funds that will be used to provide additional funding for EV infrastructure development in areas not along the alternative fuel corridors.

WYDOT and other state officials have scheduled public meetings around the state in early April to gather public input as well as feedback from potential bidders and other interested parties. Each meeting is expected to have a virtual component so viewers can attend any meeting and see the proposed plan and make comments.

The schedule is as follows:

  • Cheyenne
    • Date and time: April 4, 1-3 p.m.
    • Location: WYDOT Auditorium, 5300 Bishop Blvd.
  • Casper
    • Date and time: April 5, 9-11 a.m.
    • Location: WY Oil and Gas Commission Hearing Room, 2211 King Blvd.
  • Cody
    • Date and time: April 5, 5-7 p.m.
    • Location: Park County Public Library Grizzly Hall, 1500 Heart Mountain St.
  • Riverton
    • Date and time: April 6, 1-3 p.m.
    • Location: Riverton City Council Chambers, 816 N. Federal Blvd.
  • Jackson
    • Date and time: April 7, 9-11 a.m.
    • Location: Ordway Auditorium, Teton County Library, 125 Virginian Lane
  • Rock Springs
    • Date and time: April 7, 5-7 p.m.
    • Location: WYDOT District Office, 3200 Elk St.
  • Rawlins
    • Date and time: April 8, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
    • Location: Rawlins Family Recreation Center, 1616 Harshman St.
  • Gillette
    • Date and time: April 11, 2-4 p.m.
    • Location: Campbell County Library, 2101 S 4-J Rd.
  • Sheridan
    • Date and time: April 12, 10 a.m. – noon
    • Location: Sheridan County Fulmer Library, 335 W Alger St.

Those interested in making a public comment can also email dot-publicaffairs@wyo.gov. For more information, visit our website: https://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/planning_projects/zero-emission-vehicles/national-electric-vehicle-infrastructure-(nevi)-program.html

President Biden, USDOT and USDOE Announce $5 Billion over Five Years for National EV Charging Network, Made Possible by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

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Thursday, February 10, 2022

Joint Energy and Transportation Office and DriveElectric.gov Available to Assist States with Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plans

FHWA 05-22
Contact: FHWA.PressOffice@dot.gov
Tel: (202) 366-0660

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Departments of Transportation and Energy today announced nearly $5 billion that will be made available under the new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program established by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to build out a national electric vehicle charging network, an important step towards making electric vehicle (EV) charging accessible to all Americans.

The program will provide nearly $5 billion over five years to help states create a network of EV charging stations along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, particularly along the Interstate Highway System. The total amount available to states in Fiscal Year 2022 under the NEVI Formula Program is $615 million. States must submit an EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan before they can access these funds. A second, competitive grant program designed to further increase EV charging access in locations throughout the country, including in rural and underserved communities, will be announced later this year.

“A century ago, America ushered in the modern automotive era; now America must lead the electric vehicle revolution,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help us win the EV race by working with states, labor, and the private sector to deploy a historic nationwide charging network that will make EV charging accessible for more Americans.”

“We are modernizing America’s national highway system for drivers in cities large and small, towns and rural communities, to take advantage of the benefits of driving electric,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is helping states to make electric vehicle charging more accessible by building the necessary infrastructure for drivers across America to save money and go the distance, from coast-to-coast.”

Today’s news follows President Biden’s announcement earlier this week on EV manufacturing, and the White House Fact Sheet on actions taken to date to prepare for this historic EV investment.

To access these new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds – and to help ensure a convenient, reliable, affordable, and equitable charging experience for all users – each state is required to submit an EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan to the new Joint Office of Energy and Transportation that describes how the state intends to use its share of NEVI Formula Program funds consistent with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidance.

These plans are expected to build on Alternative Fuel Corridors that nearly every state has designated over the past six years of this program. These corridors will be the spine of the new national EV charging network. The Joint Office will play a key role in the implementation of the NEVI Formula Program by providing direct technical assistance and support to help states develop their plans before they are reviewed and approved by the Federal Highway Administration, which administers the funding.

“Americans need to know that they can purchase an electric vehicle and find convenient charging stations when they are using Interstates and other major highways,” Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack said. “The new EV formula program will provide states with the resources they need to provide their residents with reliable access to an EV charging station as they travel.”

The new Joint Office of Energy and Transportation also launched a new website this week at DriveElectric.gov. There, officials can find links to technical assistance, data and tools for states, and careers. To join the Joint Office and support a future where everyone can ride and drive electric, individuals are encouraged to apply to be an EV charging fellow.

As part of today’s announcement, FHWA released the NEVI Formula Program funding to states that will be available following approval of state plans for Fiscal Year 2022 in addition to the Program Guidance and a Request for Nominations for states to expand their existing Alternative Fuel Corridors. Here is state-by-state NEVI funding for Fiscal Years 2022-2026.

Wyoming Department of Transportation Charging Station Request for Information (RFI)

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The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is seeking input from interested stakeholder to inform the development of the state’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Strategic Plan or “strategy”. They are seeking input from federal, local and tribal agencies, utilities, multi-family dwelling owners, retail business owners, DC Fast Charging station manufacturers and installation companies, academia, vehicle dealers, hydrogen development companies, airports, and any other interested stakeholders that may inform the development and executive of the strategy.

With the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, more than $7 billion is dedicated for electric vehicles and infrastructure and more than $10 billion dedicated to batteries, the grid and more. There will be a significant amount of funding flowing to each state as early as this spring.  Now is the time to respond to this RFI and help inform the state of Wyoming on their electric vehicle strategy.

You can respond to this RFI in two ways. You can view the RFI below 

 and provide your written comments to YTCC and we’ll aggregate all the stakeholder responses we receive. In addition, we you can respond to the RFI directly yourself. The directions to do so are below:

RFI No. 22-011CS-Zero Emissions Vehicle Infrastructure Strategic Plan- Interest Letter

Bid forms, Specifications and further information may be obtained without charge, by registering with Public Purchase at http://www.publicpurchase.com.  The Registration process may take up to 24 hours, so signing up right away is recommended.

If you have already registered with Public Purchase follow these steps:

  1.  Select Home on your top tool bar.  2. In the upper right hand corner click the Region drop down menu and select Wyoming. 3. Click the Select Agency drop down menu and select Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT).

This will take you to the main Bid board where you can view the above mentioned bid(s), you will need to register with WYDOT once there and then click Wyoming and Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) from the drop down menu in the upper right of the screen.

Responses to the portal are due by December 1st. Responses to YTCC are due by November 24th so we can incorporate them into our collective response.

Press Release: Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities Announces Green Fleet Leader Awards

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Read more

New Funding Announcement: Montana Department of Environmental Quality

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The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is celebrating National Drive Electric Week with new funding opportunities to help curb nitrogen oxide ​(NOx) emissions with clean transportation. The grants are available for public and private entities and match funds to help make clean transportation affordable.

Apply TodayThe first funding opportunity, the Clean Truck, Bus & Airport Equipment Program, matches funds to replace older diesel trucks, buses or airport ground support vehicles with battery electric, alternate fuel or diesel vehicles. Examples of types of vehicles for this funding opportunity can include garbage trucks​, street sweepers, bucket trucks, buses​, or vehicles that service aircrafts between flights. Applications for this opportunity are due January 14​, 2022.

Clean School BusThe second funding opportunity is the Clean School Bus Program that applies to school districts statewide and matches funds to replace older diesel school buses with newer diesel, gasoline, propane, low ​NOx certified or battery electric buses. This opportunity has funded 23 diesel buses and 8 propane buses at school districts across the state since January of 2020. Applications for this opportunity are due November 15, 2021 with project completion by August of 2022.

The grants are funded through the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Agreement and EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, respectively.

The grant announcements celebrate National Drive Electric Week that raises awareness of the benefits of driving ​all-electric or ​plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

DEQ is hosting a webinar on October 6 at 2 p.m. for those interested in learning more about the funding opportunities​, to register visit: Webinar Registration – Zoom.

For more information and to view the ​request for applications visit: Deq.mt.gov/energy/programs/fuels.

Electric Vehicles Roadmap Initiative Special Report

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The Western Governor’s Association released their Special Report of the Electric Vehicles Roadmap Initiative. This report contains targeted recommendations on federal policy issues that affect public and private investments in EV infrastructure across the West. It also includes an umbrella agreement among states around a shared set of principles regarding EV infrastructure planning and identified a suite of voluntary standards to optimize public and private EV infrastructure investments.

YTCC is proud to have partnered on this initiative!

Electric Vehicle Experience Program Launches

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Lower Valley Energy Launches ‘Electric Vehicle Experience’ Program with Local Partners

Lower Valley Energy launches ‘Electric Vehicle Experience Program’ with partners, Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities, Energy Conservation Works and Teton Conservation District allowing co-op members to borrow an electric vehicle for 1-3 days to determine if an electric vehicle fits their daily driving needs. Live Streamed ribbon cutting, Thursday, September 9th at 1:00pm.

Jackson, WY | September 2nd— Have you wanted to test drive an electric vehicle (EV) but haven’t had the opportunity? Now is your chance! Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities (YTCC) was awarded a grant from Teton Conservation District to offer the EV Experience program, allowing Lower Valley Energy co-op members to test-drive an electric vehicle for free, to learn about the technology and determine if an electric vehicle fits their daily driving needs. YTCC partnered with Lower Valley Energy to host and develop the program as well as Energy Conservation Works to support program development and marketing efforts. Currently dealerships in Jackson and surrounding areas seldom have electric vehicles on the lot available for test-drives, therefore this program was developed to provide access to those interested in testing an electric vehicle.

There are many questions a consumer rightfully has when considering purchasing an electric vehicle. Can I charge at home? How far can an electric vehicle go before I need to charge? Will there be charging stations located where I need them along my route? Is there anything tricky about driving an electric vehicle? How does it handle mountainous terrain? The EV Experience will help answer these frequent questions, through first-hand experience.

 “YTCC has provided electric vehicle education and awareness programs since 2012 but the missing piece has always been the ability for folks to get behind the wheel and simply take an electric vehicle for a spin. These test drives help provide the answer to many of the questions a potential EV owner may have. We’re very excited to help provide this resource to our community,” states Alicia Cox, Executive Director of Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities.

“As the local electricity provider, we are excited to participate in this program to help educate our membership on the benefits of electric vehicles,” says Amy Walton, Conservation Manager at Lower Valley Energy.

This free program allows individuals 1-3 days to try the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt with a range of over 250 miles and free charging at numerous stations provided by the Town of Jackson, Teton County, Teton Village Association and local businesses. This iteration of the program will run for 3 years.

“We are very excited to work with our great partners to offer LVE members access to an EV to see how it fits the Jackson lifestyle,’ added Phil Cameron, Executive Director of Energy Conservation Works. ‘We know these vehicles cost less to operate, and with our clean electricity mix, drastically reduce emissions. We’re excited to give more community members a chance to get behind the wheel!”

We are in the midst of an electric vehicle boom with almost every major car manufacturer having made aggressive and financially significant electric vehicle production targets. There are currently 26 all-electric models and 44 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle models on the market. Starting this fall, light-duty pick-up trucks, a vehicle segment of particular interest to our mountainous area, could be available. The roll-out of the electrified version of the United States’ best selling vehicle, the F-150 Lightning, as well as trucks from GM and others, begin spring of 2022, with Rivian slated for truck deliveries this month.

In the United States, transportation is the largest greenhouse gas-emitting sector, with 29% of all greenhouse gas emissions attributed to transportation. Of that amount, 58% of all transportation emissions result from light-duty vehicles. Locally, 65% of our emissions are attributed to ground transportation. Driving an electric vehicle in Teton County reduces lifetime emissions by 96% with Lower Valley Energy’s clean electrical grid-mix and reduces tailpipe emissions to zero. And if you choose to purchase Green Power through Lower Valley Energy, your total emissions reduce to zero.

This program is an excellent example of community partnerships, including those who have worked to offer this specific program but also the Town of Jackson, Teton County, Teton Village Association and local businesses who have invested in electric vehicle charging station infrastructure in this community, allowing for a program such as this to be successful.

Project partners will host a virtual ribbon cutting on Thursday, September 9th at 1:00pm. The program will be live streamed from Lower Valley Energy’s Jackson office. Please join the livestream by visiting Energy Conservation Works’ facebook page.

If you are interested in signing up for the program visit Lower Valley’s website at lvenergy.com. If you are interested in purchasing an electric vehicle or other alternative fuels and would like supportive information and resources, please reach out to Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities staff.

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Lower Valley Energy is the rural electrical cooperative serving Teton County and Lincoln County, WY.

Energy Conservation Works is a joint powers board formed between the Town of Jackson, Teton County, Lower Valley Energy and offers leadership, engagement, and implementation specific to energy conservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy and emission reductions.

Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities is the sole regional designee of the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program. YTCC works to advance alternative fuels, vehicles and infrastructure and sustainable transportation options to increase energy security and sustainability in the Greater Yellowstone region.

START BUS UNVEILS 8 ELECTRIC PROTERRA BUSES TO SERVE THE TETON VILLAGE ROUTE

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JACKSON, WYO. – START Bus and Proterra, a leading innovator in heavy-duty electric transportation, unveiled the community’s first of eight Proterra® ZX5 battery-electric transit buses. They are the first battery-electric buses in Wyoming and first Proterra ZX5 buses to be deployed in the United States.

START Bus will put the buses into service in late November. START hosted Proterra representatives for a small ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 12. Due to COVID-19, it was not a public event. For the public to join in the fun, next Thursday, Nov. 19, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities will host a webinar with Proterra representatives sharing specifics about the e-bus deployment in Teton County and the premiere of a video about the project. Look for Zoom details through Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities.

Darren Brugmann START Director notes, “START Bus and the Town of Jackson are thrilled to add battery-electric buses to our fleet. These buses will provide cost effective, clean, efficient transportation, and help START reduce emissions to improve air quality. START is committed to transitioning 40% of its fleet to electric by 2022 and deploying these first eight buses is a major step toward that goal.”

START selected the 40-foot Proterra ZX5 MAX battery-electric transit bus with 660 kWh of onboard energy and the DuoPower™ drivetrain.

Just available in September, the Proterra ZX5 MAX can deliver up to 329 miles of drive range, which represents the most energy storage and longest drive range of any 40-foot electric bus available in the market today.

The DuoPower drivetrain delivers nearly twice the horsepower and five times better fuel efficiency than a standard diesel engine. It features two electric motors that deliver an impressive 550 horsepower, accelerating a ZX5 bus from 0 to 20 mph in under six seconds.

In addition, the DuoPower can propel a bus up a 25% grade, making it an ideal option for routes with steep hills. By combining this drivetrain with Proterra’s industry-leading battery technology and lightweight composite bus body, this vehicle provides superior performance and is designed to tackle Jackson’s routes and winter climate.

START utilized Proterra’s battery lease program to help lower the upfront price of their buses and ensure funding to deploy eight at once, representing one-third of START’s total fleet.

“Proterra is excited to partner with START to bring the first battery-electric transit buses to Wyoming and deliver clean, quiet transportation to local riders,” said John Walsh, Proterra’s Senior Vice President.

Manufactured in the United States, Proterra battery-electric buses feature zero tailpipe emissions, saving approximately 230,000 pounds of greenhouse gases annually when replacing diesel buses. The purpose-built electric buses further offer a quieter ride for reduced noise pollution, greater efficiency, and lower operating costs than combustion engine vehicles.

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About START
START Bus is a public transit system serving Jackson and Teton County, Wyoming, and nearby areas including Teton Village, Star Valley and Teton Valley, Idaho. It is owned and operated by the Town of Jackson.

About Proterra
Proterra is a leader in the design and manufacture of zero-emission, heavy-duty electric vehicles, enabling bus fleet operators to significantly reduce operating costs while delivering clean, quiet transportation to local communities across North America. The company’s configurable ZX5 platform is designed to serve the daily mileage needs of a wide range of transit routes on a single charge. With industry-leading durability and energy efficiency based on rigorous U.S. independent testing, Proterra products are proudly designed, engineered and manufactured in America. For more information, visit: www.proterra.com.

Source: Town of Jackson, WY

New Funding Announcement

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The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced two new clean transportation funding opportunities using the State’s Volkswagen Settlement funds. Applications for both are due January 11, 2021. Additional details are provided below.

Fast Charge Your Ride

DEQ is seeking eligible applicants interested in installing Level 3 direct current fast charging (DCFC) stations along key travel corridors in Montana. DCFC stations are capable of providing at least a 50-kilowatt (kW) output for a single vehicle. Each DCFC station location must also have a Level 2 station on site for redundancy in case the DCFC station is temporarily out of service, already in use, or for use by vehicles unable to use the DCFC station.

Proposed EVCS locations eligible for funding are along I-90, I-15, US-93, and a portion of US-2. Additional priority locations include Gardiner, Seeley Lake, and West Yellowstone.

The purpose of this program is to help fund the installation of EVCS stations for light duty vehicles in support of expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure along key travel corridors in Montana in order to help reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), greenhouse gases and particulate matter associated with light duty vehicles in Montana.

Find the Request for Applications (RFA) here. Read the RFA to determine if your proposal requires the Corridor application or the Additional Priority Location application.

Clean School Bus Program

DEQ is soliciting interest from all K-12 schools and all districts in Montana to replace model years 1996-2019 diesel-powered C and D type school buses with new battery-electric or certified low NOx emission school buses or model year 1996-2009 diesel-powered C and D type school buses with propane and cleaner diesel buses.

The application and instructions provide the information to allow schools to determine whether they are eligible to apply. Districts that operate their own buses or contract with a fleet manager are both eligible.

Find the Request for Applications and application here.

Questions?

If you have questions about either funding opportunity or eligibility, please contact Neal Ullman at 406-444-6582 or neal.ullman@mt.gov.