EVs are designed to run on electricity generated through an EV battery, eliminating the need for gasoline. They are energy efficient, environmentally friendly, require less maintenance than internal combustion engines (ICE) and run quietly.

Most EVs are able to travel more than 150 miles on a single charge and some can travel 200 to 300 miles or more. A number of factors impact range of battery charge including battery type and ambient temperature as cold weather greatly decreases range. EV battery design efforts continue to create more efficient options for consumers, allowing more miles per charge and faster charging than ever before.

According to respected national research firms, EVs are expected to comprise over half of all passenger vehicles sold in the United States by 2040, increasing the need for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS) across the state. The Wisconsin DMV reports that in calendar year 2021, 6,323 electric passenger vehicles were registered in the state. An additional 2,586 electric trucks were registered totaling 8,909 total registered electric vehicles.

Hybrid Vehicles

Currently, available hybrid vehicles run on both electricity and gasoline. There are two kinds of hybrid vehicles, plug in hybrids and hybrid vehicles. Plug in hybrids (PHEV) first run on battery power, and gasoline second. Hybrid vehicles run first on gasoline and then on electricity second. Both offer some benefits of full electric vehicles including reduced tailpipe emissions and energy efficiency.

Medium- and Heavy-duty Electric Vehicles

In addition to EV passenger vehicles (light-duty vehicles), market demand for medium- and heavy-duty EVs is growing. Communities are turning to electric as an option for their bus fleets, replacing diesel counterparts. Truck fleets are also considering more electric options as viable alternative fuel sources for their fleets. The transition of medium- and heavy-duty fleets to electric vehicles would potentially offer numerous benefits including reduced tailpipe emissions. Medium- and heavy-duty fleet conversions can include additional challenges such as cost, availability, and long-distance battery range.

Wisconsin's existing EVCS network is primarily privately owned. To see where EVCS are currently located, refer to the WisDOT Alternative Fuels webpage or the U.S. Department of Energy EVCS locator.​

There are three levels of EV chargers.

Battery charge time is primarily influenced by type of battery and level of remaining charge.

Currently, locations and placement of EVSE ​​are determined by private businesses and landowners. Local governments are adding charging infrastructure to promote economic development and tourism within their communities.

For EV charging stations installed through the WEVI Plan, it is anticipated that federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program funds will be made available to local governments and private entities, working collaboratively to install and operate EV fast charger systems along designated corridors. Chapter 4 of the WEVI Plan details Wisconsin's approach to preferred EVSE placement along designated AFCs. This placement is specific to the WEVI Plan and does not impact privately funded EVSE.

As the build-out of designated AFCs are certified as complete by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, other Wisconsin transportation corridors may be included for WEVI Plan funds, providing services in rural and underserved areas of the state.

In November 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was signed, designating $7.5 billion to building out a national network of electric vehicle charging stations. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program lays the groundwork for formula funding designation and use.

NEVI​ is specifically intended to build out the electric vehicle charging system along federally designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs). Currently, in Wisconsin these include five Interstates: I-90, I-94, I-43, I-41, and​ I-535; seven U.S. highways: US 53, US 151, parts of US 51, WIS 29, US 2 and US 141, and all of US 8 and US 41.

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In order to qualify for NEVI funding, states must submit an EV Infrastructure​ Deployment Plan by August 1, 2022 to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (JOET). Wisconsin submitted its WEVI Plan on July 28, 2022. The WEVI Plan details Wisconsin's approach to using NEVI Formula Program funds. NEVI Formula Program funds shall be provided to a state after JOET approves that state's plan. Wisconsin is eligible to receive approximately $78 million in NEVI formula funds over the next five years.

The following timeline summarizes the NEVI Program process.

The department's goal is to provide leadership in adapting the state's transportation infrastructure to provide seamless short- and long-distance EV travel in Wisconsin. The department will work to develop preferred statutory and regulatory framework for transportation electrification. Efforts will focus on continued stakeholder collaboration, equity of integration across the state including urban, rural, suburban areas, and historically underserved communities as well as adapting the state's transportation infrastructure to advance electrified transportation.

Key to meeting these goals is:

• Education, outreach, and collaboration: Collaborating with and listening to internal and external stakeholders including government, industry, and the traveling public.
• Stewardship: Focus on strategic investments to maximize available funding and meet state needs.
• Data-Driven Approach: Applying a data-driven approach to electrification deployment statewide.

The following timeline summarizes the WEVI Plan process.

WisDOT is collaborating on transportation electrification with key stakeholders such as utilities, metropolitan planning organizations, regional planning commissions, labor and workforce, freight and logistics companies, and many others, including ongoing opportunities for public input​. The department has established the following five objectives for public engagement:

1. Identify and involve key stakeholder groups in the plan’s development
2. Engage the public on preferred electric vehicle charging station locations, charging preferences, costs and future use of EVs
3. Engage stakeholders to ensure EV charging infrastructure achieves equitable and fair distribution
4. Ensure public participation opportunities are performed to facilitate an inclusive audience and accessibility
5. Establish continuous public participation opportunities throughout the five-year EVSE ​​infrastructure deployments

Below is a list of past and projected stakeholder outreach activities and​ key events regarding the WEVI Plan:

• March/April
• Planning partners
• Utilities
• Electric Vehicle Charging Companies
• Labor and Workforce
• May
• Planning partners such as local governments, RPCs, etc.
• Stakeholder webinar: May 26
• A recording of the May 26 webinar can be found here
• June
• Public webinar: June 21
  
• A recording of the June 21 webinar can be found here
• Public webinar: June 22
• A recording of the June 22 webinar can be found here​
• Stakeholder webinar: June 28
• ​A recording of the June 28 webinar can be found here
• ​July
• Ongoing stakeholder communication
• Public Comment Period (July 14-July 24, 2022)
• Plan submission
• August - September
• ​Ongoing stakeholder communication and public input
• The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (JOET) reviews and approves state plans no later than September 30, 2022. JOET may also request changes to plans before approval.

As WisDOT prepares its Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (WEVI) Plan, the department is seeking information from members of the public and stakeholders. If you have any questions or comments, please submit them through one of the options below.

The feedback form provides you with an electronic opportunity to propose an electric vehicle charging station location on an interstate.

https://www.pima.wisconsindot.gov/public/comment/project-comment-dynamic?project_id=14407

If you would like to email your comments, please direct them to:
transportationelectrification@dot.wi.gov

If you would like to mail your comments, please direct them to:
Transportation Electrification
WisDOT Division of Budget and Strategic Initiatives
P.O. Box 7910
Madison, Wi 53707-7910

WisDOT Resources

• The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) publishes annual reports detailing vehicle registrations, including a report (#25) by fuel type and county. Find them at the link below.
  Wisconsin DMV Vehicle Information Reports
• The DMV is responsible for the collection of motor vehicle fuel surcharges. To learn more about the surcharges, visit the link below.
  Wisconsin DMV Fuel Surcharge
• To learn more about other alternative fuel sources, visit the link below.
  Alternative Fuel sources

State of Wisconsin Resources

• Visit the link below for the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin's page on EVs.
  Public Service Commission
• In August 2019, Governor Evers issued Executive Order #38 which ordered the creation of the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy (OSCE). OSCE leads the State of Wisconsin in addressing the effects of climate change through programs and policies that support the use of clean energy resources and technology. To learn more about OSCE, visit their website linked below.
  Wisconsin Department of Administration, Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy
• Clean Energy Plan
• In October 2019, Governor Evers issued Executive Order #52 to establish the Governor's Taskforce on Climate Change. The Taskforce worked to develop the report linked below, presented to the Governor in October 2020.
  Governor's Taskforce on Climate Change Report

Federal Government Resources

• The U.S. Department of Energy maintains an interactive database of EVCS in the United States. The database allows users to find EVCS locations and includes a trip planning feature to identify locations along routes determined by the user.
  U.S. Department of Energy EVCS Locator
• In November 2021, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which provides funding for a number of infrastructure projects across the nation. To learn more about the Law and what it means for Wisconsin, visit the links below.
  Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
• What it Means for Wisconsin
• To learn more about the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program guidance.
  
• To learn more about the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation​, visit their website here​.