MANY MINDEDMinnesota targets up to 40 EV charging sites beyond highways in NEVI funding round
Minnesota's Department of Transportation (MnDOT) allocated $41.2 million in its third National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding round. This targets up to 40 new public EV fast-charging sites across 74 eligible geographic areas outside the state's three major interstates (I-35, I-90, I-94). Each site must deliver at least 150 kW of power simultaneously and include four NACS and four CCS1 connectors. The funding follows Minnesota's rapid EV adoption—registered vehicles grew tenfold from approximately 9,000 in 2018 to 90,000 by August 2026—though only eight sites from the first two NEVI rounds were operational as of August 2026.
The mechanism focuses on rural accessibility and technical reliability. Sites must operate during business hours, include ADA-compliant spaces, and clear snow within two hours after storms. MnDOT requires lighting or security measures at all locations. This round expands EV infrastructure beyond highways, directly reducing range anxiety for rural drivers while meeting federal standards for interoperability and safety.
This deployment moves abundance for rural EV adoption by making fast charging more accessible in underserved regions. Reduced range anxiety lowers barriers to electric vehicle use in areas previously excluded from highway networks. The next critical step is MnDOT's conditional awards for sites, expected by late December 2026 or early 2027, following November 2026 application deadlines. Only one charging site per eligible area can receive funding, and technical specifications apply uniformly to all projects. The source provides no details on final site counts or operational timelines beyond the funding round's specifications.
Source: Electrek