KDOT Requests Information for Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installation Program
The Kansas Department of Transportation is announcing a Request for Information (RFI) in advance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along the state's most traveled highways.
Through this RFI, KDOT seeks to receive input from industry stakeholders and potential applicants that will help develop program criteria for awarding funding toward the installation of EV charging equipment. KDOT has identified approximately 12 preliminary locations for the installation of Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) stations (50 kW or greater) to help advance the state's effort to support publicly accessible charging stations every 50 miles along primary corridors.
Proposed EV charging station locations must be within five miles of a corridor exit:
- Interstate 70 in the Oakley/Grainfield/Grinnell area
- I-70 at WaKeeney
- I-70 at Russell
- I-70 at the Ellsworth/US Highway 156 exit
- I-70 in the Abilene to Junction City area
- I-70 in the Manhattan to Paxico area
- Interstate 35 at Ottawa
- I-35 at Emporia
- I-35 in the Cassoday to Matfield-Green area
- I-35 in the Belle Plain to Wellington Area
- Interstate 135 at Newton/North Newton
- South US Highway 81 at Concordia
Nationwide there has been a strong push for the adoption of electric vehicles from both the public and private sectors. While some charging infrastructure already exists, it's important for Kansas to ensure continuity of travel across the state for travelers and commerce.
"While installing EV charging stations is a new venture for KDOT, we remain committed to our long-term promise of working with Kansans to deliver better results," said Secretary Julie Lorenz. "This RFI is the first step in identifying the critical partnerships needed to reduce charging station gaps across the state."
Funding for the charging stations is being provided by the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust, which has approximately $2 million available for EV charging infrastructure.
Responses to this RFI must be emailed to kdot.designcontracts@ks.gov by 5 PM on Friday, September 24.
More information related to this RFI can be found at https://sos.ks.gov/publications/Register/Volume-40/Issue-36-September-9….
(Information courtesy KDOT.)