TOPEKA, Kan. — Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that more than $4.6 million in federal funds will be directed to the first six locations selected for the state’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula program. With existing fast-charging stations spread across the I-70 and I-135 corridors, these selected locations will fill gaps in EV charging stations along the state’s major highways and interstate system.
Construction of fast-charging EV stations is focused along the major supply corridors through Kansas. East to West, stations will be built along I-70 from Kansas City to the Colorado border. There will be three north to south corridors along I-35 from Kansas City through Wichita to the Oklahoma border, I-135/US-81 that runs from Nebraska through Salina to Wichita, and I-335 that connects Lawrence and Topeka to Wichita.
A secondary east-west corridor is planned along US-400 in the southern half of the state from Colorado to Missouri, passing through Garden City, Dodge City, Wichita and into southeast Kansas near Parsons and Cherokee, before turning south at the intersection with US-69 just south of Pittsburg.
“As more electric cars and trucks make their way onto Kansas roadways, they will need access to adequate charging facilities,” Kelly said. “With these awards, we’ll ensure electric vehicle charging stations are accessible to all Kansans for local and long-distance trips.”
The awarded projects must provide a minimum 20 percent local cash match, bringing the total investment to more than $5.8 million. Four of the new direct current (DC) fast charging stations are to be built in the cities of Emporia, along the I-35 corridor; Belleville, along U.S. 81; and Garden City and Pratt, along U.S. 400. In southeast Kansas, two more stations will be sited along U.S. 400 in Cherokee and Fredonia, both at the local Pete’s gas stations.
“These six new stations will give more Kansans the option to drive electric vehicles,” said Tami Alexander, Transportation Electrification Manager at the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). “KDOT is committed to enhancing the access and convenience for EV users by leveraging the federal match to build a robust, connected, and sustainable EV charging network.”
Kansas has approximately 460 charging stations up and running for the state’s estimated 3,100 electric vehicles. These charging stations, however, are mostly limited to the larger metropolitan areas around Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka, and Lawrence.
NEVI formula funds require EV charging stations to be located along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, be available every 50 miles and within one travel mile of the AFC, be capable of providing a minimum of 600 kW of power, and charge four vehicles simultaneously. The charging stations must also always be accessible to the public and provide other amenities such as restrooms, food and beverages, and shelter from inclement weather. When all AFCs in the state are certified as fully built out, KDOT may use funds for EV charging infrastructure on any public road or other publicly accessible locations.
Although there are currently two recharging stations in Pittsburg – one at the Kansas Technology Center and the other at the Fox Colonial Theater – Alexander has previously said there are currently no plans to make US-69 an EV corridor.
Future opportunities will be announced on the Charge Up Kansas page on KDOT’s IKE website at https://ike.ksdot.gov/charge-up-kansas. For more information, contact [email protected].
