Hawaii - National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Grant Program

Summary

Note: The Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) created the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Grant Program with a total budget of $5 billion. Each state was allocated a share of that total to help build out a national network of electric vehicle charging stations along designated alternative fuel corridors (AFCs). With some limited exceptions, EV charging stations funded through the NEVI program should be spaced 50 miles apart and within one mile of the Interstate exit or highway.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is the lead agency for Hawaii's NEVI plan. HDOT will need to install twelve new charging stations along interstates and designated AFCs to satisfy the NEVI fully built out requirements. Hawaii's initial NEVI Plan was submitted to the federal Joint Office of Energy and Transportation in July 2022, and its 2023 Update was submitted in August 2023. In its update, Hawaii stated that it is making discretionary exceptions for several sites based on limited power availability and grid capacity. It also requested exceptions from the 50 mile rule for two sites: HI-19 Hilo to Waimea and HI-200 Hilo to Kona.

The first NEVI-funded charging station was opened in February 2024, consisting of four 150-kW chargers at the Kahului Park and Ride on Kuihelani Highway.