Overcoming Range Anxiety: The Impact of NEVI on EV Charging Infrastructure and Economic Growth
There’s a clear chicken-and-egg relationship between EV sales and EV charging infrastructure. Some potential buyers have been hesitant to purchase an EV due to range anxiety, worrying, “What if I drive to the store and run out of ‘juice’?” This concern has been significantly mitigated in metro and suburban areas, as chargers have been popping up at grocery stores, malls, and local government locations. Additionally, the range of EVs has increased, with many models now exceeding 250 miles per charge.
However, range anxiety persists, especially for longer-distance travel and trips to unfamiliar locales, such as vacation destinations. The most promising development for alleviating this concern on highways is the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, funded through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (BIL).
The NEVI rollout began in 2022, with the federal government establishing guidelines for state Departments of Transportation (DOTs)—the implementation arm of NEVI. The goal is to ensure that this national network of chargers installed on the U.S. interstate system is consistently functional and evenly distributed. The network will feature charging stations every 50 miles, with multiple chargers, weather protection, and locations no more than one mile from the interstate exit. Once these guidelines were communicated, each state proceeded at its own pace—some moving more swiftly than others.
Ohio has been a leader in this effort, standing out as an early adopter. As Governor Mike DeWine said at the London, OH EV station ground opening, “Electric vehicles are the future of transportation, and we want drivers in Ohio to have access to this technology today.”
New York, Pennsylvania, and Hawaii are also making significant progress, with Maine, Vermont, and Colorado not far behind. By the second half of 2024 and 2025, you will see many more EV chargers along our interstates. The goal is for the EV charging network to stay ahead of demand, ensuring that as consumers become more comfortable with their access to chargers and as the range of vehicles continues to increase, EV sales will rise.
EV infrastructure is not just about reducing range anxiety; it also has significant economic development benefits. Charging station installation and maintenance creates jobs, stimulates local economies, and attracts new businesses—with the number of EV charging stations already on pace to outnumber gas stations by 2032. Areas with robust EV infrastructure are more likely to attract tourists and travelers, further boosting economic activity.
Additionally, there is growing competition with new models of EVs, some of which now boast a 400-mile range, further reducing range anxiety and making EVs a more attractive option for consumers.
For more information on the NEVI program, check out your state’s Department of Transportation website and this recent news update.