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Louisiana to receive Electrify America EV charging infrastructure funding

Posted by admin on Aug. 3, 2021 / Electric Vehicles, Clean Fuels Infrastructure, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, LCF Projects / Subscribe 0

This funding offers the next step in our continuing plan to achieve official EV corridor designation.

Electrify America (EA) has announced Cycle 3 of their National ZEV Investment Plan which will invest “approximately $228 million in EV charging infrastructure.” This plan includes funding for infrastructure along I-20, a critical interstate highway that stretches across northern Louisiana, in support of a nationwide adoption campaign focusing on zero-emission vehicles (ZEV). This funding, along with anticipated infrastructure funding from the Volkswagen (VW) Settlement, is expected to help Louisiana develop an electric vehicle (EV) charging network throughout the state to meet the standards for Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Alternative Fuel Corridor designation.

Status report: FHWA Alternative Fuel Corridors in Louisiana

LCF has worked closely with LDEQ to complete proposals for rounds 2 (in 2017) and round 3 (in 2018) of FHWA Corridor designation by providing data, maps and other resources required by the FHWA. In round 2, the state had corridors that qualified for propane and natural gas corridors. Unfortunately, there weren't any EV stations that would qualify Louisiana for an EV corridor at that time. That changed in 2018 with the installation of three EA charging sites along I-10 and one site in New Orleans. As a result, in Round 3, we were able to get approval for a small section of I-10 to be designated as “Complete” with the remainder of I-10 designated as “Pending”.

Since the partial designation of I-10 for EV corridors back in 2018, Louisiana has added two new fast charging sites. Unfortunately, only one of the Level 3 DC fast charging sites meets the FHWA Alternative Fuel Corridor designation requirements; a charger in Alexandria near I-49. Currently, there are no DC Fast Chargers on the I-20 corridor which is why this announcement by EA is so exciting.

Our state's charging infrastructure may soon get a major boost when the LDEQ announces funding for their third round, Cycle 3, of Louisiana's Volkswagen Settlement awards which is expected to include funding for DC Fast Chargers on I-10, I-49 and I-20. We anticipate that most of the sites awarded Cycle 3 VW funding will be in locations indicated on our DC Fast Charging Master Plan and will also satisfy the FHWA corridor requirements. Between the state's VW funding and the EA announcement, Louisiana could soon have complete or nearly complete EV corridors on all major interstates.

Designing and Building our Charging infrastructure

A well designed and thought-out charging infrastructure is critical to increasing adoption of electric vehicles. As the only organization in the state dedicated 100% to sustainable transportation, LCF is leading the charge to reduce our state's transportation emissions by actively pursuing funding opportunities to advance the adoption of electric and alternative fuel vehicles, provide workforce development and safety training opportunities, and increase investments in a cleaner fueling infrastructure. Our 2019 DC Fast Charging Master Plan (and forthcoming regional infrastructure plans) will help guide EV infrastructure development in a sensible and equitable manner that is responsive to the needs of Louisiana drivers.

Interested in becoming a charging site host?

LCF will work with fueling stations owners and other entities (such as shopping and recreation areas) to help guide them through their research, project design, and infrastructure buildout of fast chargers on their property. We help potential site hosts develop the partnerships required for a successful project and work closely with our stakeholders to identify and apply for project funding assistance when available.

What does it take for a corridor to be considered "Complete"?

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is working to establish a national network of alternative fueling and charging infrastructure along national highway system corridors through their Alternative Fuel Corridor Designation program. For an interstate to qualify for EV charging corridor signage, public DC Fast Chargers must have “no greater than 50 miles between one station and the next on corridor,” and corridors may be marked as “pending” if chargers are separated by more than 50 miles. There are also specific requirements for charging sites to be considered part of a corridor, such as 24-hour access and lighting.

State Tax Credit for "green" fueling infrastructure to end January 1, 2022

The Louisiana alternative fuel infrastructure tax credit expires on January 1, 2022. Anyone wishing to install an electric vehicle charging station, CNG station, or propane station in Louisiana would need to do so before the deadline at the end of the year in order to take advantage of the 30% credit on equipment costs. More information about the state tax credit can be found on the LCF website.