Cross-Country Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan Unveiled

Federal officials have outlined a 16-year plan for dotting the nation’s freight lanes with electric charging and refueling stations. 

The proposal, released March 12 by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, aims to accelerate adoption of battery-electric and fuel-cell electric trucks in four phases, each with designated timelines.  

The first phase, planned for 2024 to 2027, will establish hubs along 12,000 miles of highly traveled interstates, including Interstates 5, 10, 25, 75, 80 and 95, as well as the so-called Texas Triangle of Interstates 10, 45 and 35. Major container ports will also be included. 

Phase 2, set for 2027 to 2030, will connect the hubs from the first phase. From 2030 to 2035, phase 3 will expand the hubs to include more ports and freight facilities, as well as initiate network developments. 

The final phase, from 2035 to 2040, will “support expanded private investment” and complete the total infrastructure network. 

Building this infrastructure is essential to the successful deployment of electric vehicles, according to the plan’s summary, with a “national zero-emission freight network” being the ultimate goal.