Oklahoma Department of Transportation seeking comments on electric vehicle infrastructure plan

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is seeking public comments on Oklahoma’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan.

Comments will be accepted through Aug. 19, on a plan whose Phase I features 13 charging station sites along the state’s major interstates, including one in Randlett.

Public comments are necessary for phase two of the plan, which is designed to build out electric vehicle charging infrastructure along alternative fuel corridors in Oklahoma as part of the state’s participation in the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program.

During the first phase, ODOT allocated $9 million to begin building charging stations at 13 sites along the I-34, I-40 and I-44 corridors, including Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc. on Oklahoma 70 in Randlett. ODOT awarded its first round of contracts in April, with a second round of proposals to be released in Fall 2024. Once the AFC charging stations are operational and evaluated, the remaining NEVI funds will be available for discretionary use, ODOT officials said.

Under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, Oklahoma will be receiving $66 million during the course of five years to improve and expand the statewide network of electric vehicle charging stations. To qualify for federal funding to support electric vehicle charging infrastructure installation, sites must meet specific criteria: they must be no more than 50 miles apart from existing or planned sites within designated corridors, be within 1 mile of an exit, feature four charging stations with simultaneous 150kW charging capabilities each, offer 24-hour accessibility and have broadband or cellular capability.

The EV plan, which includes maps and other details of the project, is posted at Oklahoma.gov/evok, where it is available for comment.

ODOT will submit Phase II of the plan to the U.S. Department of Transportation Sept. 1.