Arizona Department of Transportation is electrifying transportation and your chamber and members could benefit

Update July, 2022

During June and July, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is holding several meetings to gather input from the community, including local governments and businesses, to discuss EV charging infrastructure.  According to ADOT, over the next several years Arizona will receive $76.5 million in federal dollars through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI). The program establishes publicly accessible EV charging stations along Arizona’s interstate corridors.

By increasing the availability of chargers, Arizona will increase EV adoption - and reduce or eliminate ‘range anxiety’- the fear of not finding a place to charge while traveling. Oftentimes, one depends on the other. 

The program requires that there will be one station every 50 miles and they must be no more than one mile from the  freeway exit. This is great news for chambers and businesses alike, because if your  business is within one mile from an interstate exit you may be eligible for a charger; and not just any charger, but DC Fast Charger. Drivers that need a partial or full charge will often spend their time shopping if the charger is located at a business and most businesses find that having a charger nearby draws in customers.  

Some additional details that make charging locations favorable -  

• Should be update ready for expansion

• Near gas stations and/or other retail 

• Serve tourist traffic to encourage people to visit and travel Arizona

• Cover rural and urban (though near interstate)

• Provide shade for driver while charging

For more information on the program, go to AZDOT.gov/EVplan and/or connect with your local government.