NACS, along with NATSO, representing truck stops and travel centers, and SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers, sent a letter this week to the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) applauding it for issuing new guidance that resolves many existing challenges under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) grant program. NACS and its cosigners urged the agency to further strengthen the guidance to ensure a consumer-friendly, nationwide network of EV charging stations and a consistent charging experience for drivers of electric vehicles. 

“The retail fuel industry supports the NEVI Program and is actively participating in the program in almost every state,” said NACS Deputy General Counsel Matt Durand. “Advancing a market-oriented implementation strategy will prompt private investment in alternative refueling infrastructure across the country. The Guidance would rectify challenges and prompt businesses to make durable, consumer-focused investments in a nationwide refueling network.” 

U.S. DOT’s Interim Final Guidance encourages state transportation departments to prioritize applications where EV charging infrastructure would be co-located with on-site amenities such as restrooms and foodservice, and where the “site host,” or real estate owner, is also the charging station owner. This will help ensure that chargers are well-maintained and competitively priced. 

The letter asks U.S. DOT to: 

• Require (rather than just encourage) state NEVI plans to prioritize projects where the site hosts own and operate the EV charging infrastructure and where EV charging infrastructure is co-located with onsite amenities such as restrooms and foodservice. 
• Specify criteria for determining when an alternative fuel corridor is “fully built out.” 
• Prohibit caps on rate-of-return or revenue sharing requirements. 
• Accommodate expansion at existing charging sites in addition to new locations when appropriate. 
• Uphold the prohibition on EV charging at rest areas.