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 2022, 8,158 electric passenger vehicles in addition to electric cycles and autocycles were registered in the state. An additional 5,573 electric trucks were registered totaling 13,731 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.

Two connectors for EVs are now receiving much attention: the CCS, or Combined Charging System, and the North American Charging Standard (NACS). CCS is a connector that can supply between 25 kWh and 350 kWh of power and charge an EV in under one hour. The NACS connector is an alternative to the CCS. It is smaller and lighter than the CCS, delivering up to 250 kWh of powe​r, and can recharge an EV battery in under an hour. Most automakers have announced the integration of the NACS charge port in their future EV production. ​Given the recent industry focus on the NACS connector, WisDOT is evaluating options to support NACS connectors alongside required CCS connectors at future NEVI-supported ​​charging stations.​

​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.

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:

2023 Activities/Events:

• Ongoing stakeholder communication and public input participating in over ten public presentations and over 50 one-on-one stakeholder meetings
• As detailed in the WEVI 2023 plan update, conducted a gap analysis to determine which stakeholder industries and categories were not widely engaged during the development of the WEVI 2022 plan. This gap analysis helped guide engagement activities for the rest of the year. ​
  
• Development of program implementation options and WEVI application materials and procedures in accordance with NEVI Program rules issued by the Federal Highway Administration on February 15.
• Program monitored for reporting purposes and updating of WEVI Plan.

2022 Activities/Events:

March/April

• Meetings with planning partners, utilities, electric vehicle charging companies and labor and workforce representatives

May

• Meetings with planning partners such as local governments, RPCs, etc.
• Stakeholder webinar: May 26

June

• Public webinar: June 21
• Public webinar: June 22
• Stakeholder webinar: June 28

July

• Ongoing stakeholder communication, public comment period (July 14-July 24, 2022) and plan submission.

August - September

• Ongoing stakeholder communication and public input. State plan submitted and approved on September 14.

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

• National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program
• ​NEVI Formula Program Q&A
• ​Alternative Fuels Data Center - Developing Infrastructure to Charge Electric Vehicles​
  
• Buy America Requirement for Electric Vehicle Chargers
• 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.