America’s public fast-charging network experienced a record year of expansion in 2023, adding over 18,000 new ports, a 30% increase. While private investment was the primary driver, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program also contributed to this growth, demonstrating renewed momentum after a challenging beginning.
NEVI Program Gains Traction Following Legal and Political Hurdles
The $5 billion NEVI program, established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to create a federally funded network of high-speed public fast chargers along major U.S. travel corridors. This initiative is crucial for supporting broader electric vehicle (EV) adoption.
According to a recent report by charging analytics firm Paren, nearly 100 NEVI-funded charging stations and approximately 500 new ports were activated in the U.S. last year. This represents more than double the number of stations and triple the ports added in the previous year. Florent Breton, CEO of Paren, noted that “NEVI is a signal to the broader market to continue building EV [charging] infrastructure.” He added that the program “serves as a magnet for foreign players, such as Alpitronic, to come and be part of the industry in the U.S.”.
Despite comprising a small fraction of the total chargers installed last year, the growth in NEVI-funded ports is significant given the program’s tumultuous journey, marked by legal challenges and political opposition.
Legal Battles and Revised Guidance Boost NEVI’s Progress
The program faced substantial criticism, including attempts by the Trump administration to halt its funding. In February of the previous year, the Department of Transportation (DOT) froze NEVI funds, prompting a lawsuit from a coalition of states. A judge ultimately ruled in favor of NEVI, leading to the unfreezing of funds. A subsequent attempt to freeze the funds in January of this year was also challenged, with a federal judge in Seattle ruling last week to restore the funds for 20 states that filed suit. EV advocates argued that the program’s basis as a bipartisan act of Congress made the revocation of funds without due process unlawful.
In an effort to accelerate charger deployment, the DOT released updated guidance in October that eased some of the program’s more stringent requirements. This has prompted states to increase their efforts in commissioning and building charging sites.
States Accelerate NEVI Deployment
Currently, 42 states have approved plans for 2026, and $632 million has been allocated to charging companies for construction, according to EVstates.org. While the possibility of further legal challenges remains, a more stable operational phase for the NEVI program could significantly accelerate its scaling.