Dec 1, 20234 min read

Navigating the NEVI Program: A Comprehensive Guide to Government Funding for EV Charging

What is the NEVI Program?

NEVI is a federal program that provides financial incentives and research grants to EV infrastructure projects. The U.S. will invest $5 billion to make electric vehicle infrastructure more accessible and reliable, helping to reduce pollution and ensure access to charging stations nationwide.

What percentage of expenses are covered by NEVI?

The NEVI program will fund up to 80% of project costs related to EV infrastructure. In our experience most projects should expect to receive more like 50% of the total project cost. To obtain this funding, locations must meet the strict guidelines of the program that you'll find listed below.

Eligibility for the NEVI Program

The program is structured to support a wide range of applicants, including both small and large businesses. As long as an installation project meets the criteria and align with the NEVI program's standards, it is quite accessible to all.

Standards and Requirements for the NEVI Program

There are quite a few requirements and rules for NEVI funded infrastructure, all of which Noch Power adhere to and can help you navigate in your own project. With our all-in-one hardware, installation, proprietary software and maintenance package, you'll be able to apply and gain approval faster than other EV charging station brands. The sum of the NEVI rules include:

Made in the USA: Regarding the production of electric vehicle chargers, the Administration has specified that they must be manufactured and assembled within the United States in order to comply with Buy America standards.
Public Transparency in Pricing: The rule mandates transparency in the pricing process for EV charging, ensuring public awareness of how prices are set.
Minimum Number of Charging Ports: Requires a minimum of four charging ports at each station, regardless of the port type, enhancing station capacity.
Connector Types and Power Levels: Each Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC) port must have a Combined Charging System (CCS) Type 1 connector and be capable of charging CCS-compliant vehicles. DC Fast Chargers must support an output of 250v DC and 920v DC with a continuous power delivery rating of at least 150 kilowatt (kW) and supply 150 kW simultaneously from each charging port.
24/7 Availability for Stations: Charging stations along designated routes must be available 24/7 with public access for EV drivers.
Diverse Payment Methods: Stations must offer multiple payment options, including contactless and SMS, accessible to people with disabilities and non-English speakers.
Equipment Certification: All charging equipment must be certified, with AC Level 2 chargers specifically required to be ENERGY STAR certified, ensuring quality and efficiency.
Security Measures: States are required to implement physical and cybersecurity strategies to protect charging stations and consumer data.
Maintenance Compliance: Charging stations must be maintained in accordance with the regulation for a minimum of five years, ensuring long-term reliability.
Qualified Technician Requirements: Technicians installing, maintaining, or operating chargers must have appropriate certifications and training, ensuring high-quality and safe installations.
Customer Service Standards: Charging stations must provide multilingual customer service options compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Customer Data Privacy: Charging station operators are required to protect customer data, collecting only essential information.
Use of Program Income: Income from the charging infrastructure must be used for specific purposes like maintenance, improvement, or other federally approved projects.
Interoperability Requirements: Chargers must be capable of secure communication and network switching without hardware changes, facilitating a seamless user experience.
Compliance with Signage Regulations: Charging stations must comply with MUTCD and 23 CFR part 750 for on-premise signs, ensuring standardization and clarity.
Data Submittal Requirements: Regular data submissions are required for projects funded under NEVI, including a community engagement outcomes report.
Charging Network Connectivity: Chargers must remain functional during temporary communication disruptions, ensuring consistent service.
Public Information Accessibility: Information about EV charging infrastructure, including location, pricing, and real-time availability, must be freely available to third-party developers, enhancing user accessibility and convenience.

Each of these requirements is designed to ensure a high-quality, accessible, and efficient EV charging infrastructure under the NEVI program. The full standards can be found at the federal register here

Benefits of NEVI

The NEVI program's ripple effects extend beyond environmental impact. It's designed to spur job creation in sectors directly and indirectly related to EV infrastructure – from construction and technology to software innovation and driver access. Capturing critical real estate is a strategic move as the EV industry is set to 10x by 2030. This will allow savvy commercial property owners to invest in their piece of the future energy market.

What to Expect from the NEVI Funding Process

The NEVI funding process is competitive, detail oriented, and bureaucratic. It can be difficult to navigate state by state and should be done in collaboration with the right partner since it will require thorough planning, project management, and communication across dozens of stakeholders from hardware, installation, and maintenance. Noch Power offers an all-in-one service package with one complete vertical solution for a hassle-free NEVI project.

Where can I find information from my state on NEVI?

Each state is awarded a portion of the total federal funds during each phase of the program. Because of this each state will have different processes, which can be found within their transportation authority website. We have compiled a list of all state NEVI programs below or their respective state DOT website where you can find more information: Alabama: adeca.alabama.gov

Alaska: www.akenergyauthority.org

Arizona: azdot.gov

Arkansas: www.ardot.gov

California: www.energy.ca.gov

Colorado: www.codot.gov

Connecticut: portal.ct.gov

Delaware: deldot.gov

Florida: www.fdot.gov

Georgia: nevi-gdot.hub.arcgis.com

Hawaii: hidot.hawaii.gov

Idaho: www.evidaho.org

Illinois: ev.illinois.gov