The Federal Highway Administration has approved Texas' plan to build dozens of new electric vehicle charging stations along major highways across the state. The approval means the project will now be eligible for more than $400 million in federal funds that were set aside as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that was approved by Congress in 2021.
"More and more Texans are choosing to go electric and that's why the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is building out a nationwide charging network," U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Dallas) said. "With Texas' plan now approved, this is a huge step forward in implementing this program, which will create jobs and give folks more options as they travel across our state."
The proposed map for the EV charging stations puts first priority on some of the state's busiest transportation corridors. These include Interstate 35 between Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, Interstate 37 between San Antonio and Corpus Christi, and Interstate 45 between Dallas and Houston. The map also indicates plans to put charging stations along Interstate 10 and Interstate 20 in both west and east Texas and along Interstate 27 between Lubbock and Amarillo.
The goal of the plan is to have an EV charging station every 50 to 70 miles along major highways in Texas to make it easier for electric vehicle owners to plan longer trips.
"America led the original automotive revolution in the last century, and today, thanks to the historic resources in the President's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we're poised to lead in the 21st century with electric vehicles," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. "We have approved plans for all 50 States, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia to help ensure that Americans in every part of the country - from the largest cities to the most rural communities - can be positioned to unlock the savings and benefits of electric vehicles."
Texas already has several EV charging stations in major cities and along major highways like I-35 that were constructed by private businesses. The state will also use money from a legal settlement with Volkswagen to build some charging stations.
The Texas Department of Transportation could award contracts to build the EV charging stations next year.
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD