Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has allocated $11.2 million in grants to enhance electric vehicle (EV) charging availability along interstate highways in the state. The grants, administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), aim to support the growing number of EVs on the roads.
Thirteen grants will be used to install EV charging stations at fueling stations off the state’s interstate systems, while another grant will assist Bevill State Community College in training students to install and maintain the chargers. These initiatives are part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, aimed at strategically locating charging stations within reasonable distances for EV drivers.
ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell highlighted the importance of providing dependable charging infrastructure for EV drivers as they travel across the state. The projects are required to be located no farther than a mile from an interstate and must be open year-round on a 24/7 schedule.
The grants cover 80 percent of the project costs, with companies required to contribute a 20 percent match. Grant recipients include major fueling stations like Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores and BP Products North America Inc., as well as community colleges and retail stores.
Overall, the funding aims to not only benefit EV drivers but also support companies involved in producing electric vehicles in Alabama, potentially creating more high-paying jobs for residents. With the growth of EV ownership, the installation of more charging stations along major roadways is crucial to support this environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
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