(The Center Square) - The Michigan Department of Transportation is moving forward with the next phase of its electric vehicle charging program after federal officials approved the state's latest infrastructure plan.
The Federal Highway Administration has signed off on Michigan's fiscal year 2026 Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan, allowing the state to begin spending its remaining $51 million of taxpayer funds in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funds.
"This funding will help strategically expand fast charging infrastructure, close critical gaps in Michigan's EV charging network, support economic development and ensure that Michigan remains a leader in mobility innovation," MDOT said.
In total, the program has allocated about $106 million to Michigan through 2026.
With the approval, MDOT can resume expanding its EV charging network after months of uncertainty when the Trump administration temporarily paused the program pending a policy review.
State officials say the funding will be used to close gaps in the current charging network, improve reliability and expand access for both passenger and medium-duty vehicles. MDOT is also preparing a third round of applications aimed at giving more communities access to the funding.
So far, MDOT is in the process of deploying 82 charging stations across the state following the first two rounds of funding.
The NEVI program, created under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is designed to establish a nationwide network of fast-charging stations along highways.
The program's implementation has been gradual though. Michigan opened its first NEVI-funded charging station in Lansing in late 2024, three years after the program was approved. At the time, only a handful of additional stations were in development.
"MDOT is committed to enhancing the charging network statewide to support our EV users," said State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich at that time. "Thanks to the NEVI program, we can expedite this network."
State officials have said the program could ultimately fund around 100 stations, though fewer than that have been announced so far.
This buildout is part of the state's plan "to build out the infrastructure to support two million EVs on Michigan roads by 2030."
Yet, experts are skeptical of the state's ability to meet the 2030 goal. Currently, the state reports 2,102 charging locations across Michigan. To support its 2030 goal, "Michigan will need approximately 10,000 DCFC and 90,000 Level 2 chargers."
The NEVI program has also drawn criticism over cost and effectiveness.
So far, the most up-to-date report from EV States Clearinghouse shows 127 NEVI-funded charging stations opened up across the country, with 596 conditionally awarded. With those 127 stations costing $67.6 million altogether, each charging port cost approximately $134,600 to install.
A quarter four report from 2024 from the U.S. Office of Energy and Transportation showed 126 stations opened, showing the impact the battle over NEVI funding has had on its rollout nationally.