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Kentucky’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan
Kentucky is actively implementing its EV Plan. The plan’s vision is a reliable, accessible, convenient, and affordable EV charging network that supports transportation choices, energy diversification, economic development and environmental sustainability for all Kentuckians. This includes ongoing outreach to industry and agency partners. A third Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in September 2024 and proposals were due in October 2024.
Barriers to EV Adoption in Kentucky
KYTC reached out to hundreds of stakeholders during the first half of 2022 for the development of the first version of Kentucky’s EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan. Some of the most important feedback was about barriers to the adoption of EVs in Kentucky. One of the most important and exciting conclusions was additional charging infrastructure was one of the top concerns. This is something KYTC and the Federal government are doing something about right now. KYTC has developed a plan to expand the DCFC charging network and the implementation of that plan is funded through the NEVI Program Formula Funds.
Kentucky's EV Charging Program
As more Americans and Kentuckians are interested in purchasing EVs, having a reliable network in place to support long-distance travel is key to giving drivers the confidence to roam.
Kentucky was allotted nearly $70 million in federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand EV chargers over the next five years. The creation and update of the EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan are requirements to unlocking funding to build infrastructure along Alternative Fuel Corridors.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Energy and Environment Cabinet, in partnership with the Public Service Commission and Federal Highway Administration, developed and submitted the initial plan in May 2022. It was approved in September of 2022 by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Energy (Joint Office), securing federal funds for five years with the first $25 million available immediately. The latest plan was submitted August 30, 2024, and approval is anticipated in fall 2024. This secures funding for FY 2025.
| Goal | Performance Metric | Five-Year Target |
|---|---|---|
| A corridor-based EV charging system that supports interstate and regional travel | System miles covered by EV charging stations that meet the standards outlined in this plan | >800 miles |
| A local EV network that serves Kentucky’s communities and travelers | Number of residents and employees within 15 and 50 miles of EV charging stations installed using NEVI funds | TBD as Part of Implementation Process |
| A comprehensive system that supports transportation choices for all of Kentucky’s residents | Number of rural and Justice40 residents within 15 and 50 miles of EV charging stations installed using NEVI funds | TBD as Part of Implementation Process |
| An interconnected, reliable, and resilient vehicle fueling system that can adapt to changes in market conditions and transportation technologies | Percent operational time for EV charging stations installed using NEVI funds. | >97% Uptime |
| A transportation system that reduces tailpipe emissions and promotes clean air in Kentucky | Number of registered BEVs in the state of Kentucky. | TBD as Part of Implementation Process |
Plan Phases
The Plan calls for immediate and simultaneous implementation of DCFC stations on Kentucky’s Interstates and Parkways (the Alternative Fuel Corridors). It is expected that these will be built out in 2026. At that time the funding will be used for other priority highways, Level 2 community charging, and possibly for freight and other needs in accordance with future Federal guidance.
Kentucky's Priority EV Corridors
Request for Information
KYTC issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gain input from potential market participants across various sectors concerning the planning, deployment, operation and maintenance of the DCFCs and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) in Kentucky.
Respondents included utilities, charge network providers, potential site hosts, nonprofits, contractors, and EVSE suppliers. Comments were collected from August 24 – September 30, 2022.
The RFI responses helped KYTC develop an implementation strategy for deploying DCFC stations with the NEVI formula funding. More information on the RFI can be found here.
Request for Proposals
KYTC has issued three Requests for Proposals (RFP). RFP 3 was issued on September 17, 2024, and closes in mid-October. The Notice of Award is expected December 13, 2024.ill not own, operate or maintain charging stations and will work with the private sector and other industry partners on procurement.
RFP 1
A draft request for proposal (RFP) was issued on January 4, 2023, and closed January 27 after receiving over 150 comments. Based on these comments, RFP 1 was released June 15, 2023, and closed August 24. RFP 1 received 150 submissions and consisted of two rounds of awards. In October 2023, 24 charging station sites were awarded across seven developers for nearly $15.4 million in funding under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.
RFP 2
A second RFP was issued on February 19, 2024, and closed April 19, 2024. RFP 2 received 55 submissions with awards announced in May 2024. RFP 2 secured 14 additional charging station sites across six developers for a total of $9.5 million in federal funding under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.
RFP 3
A third RFP was issued on September 17, 2024, and will close in mid-October. RFP 3 is seeking proposals for charging station sites in twelve additional designated zones to secure all stations necessary for complete buildout along Kentucky’s AFCs.
KYTC will not own, operate or maintain charging stations and will work with the private sector and other industry partners on procurement.
Other EV Infrastructure Initiatives
Kentucky is enhancing its EV infrastructure with multiple initiatives. In addition to KYTC's DC fast charging stations on Interstates and Parkways, the Energy and Environment Cabinet is allocating Volkswagen Settlement funds through their Light-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Infrastructure Program for Level 2 and DC fast charging. The Tennessee Valley Authority also has an EV infrastructure funding program with more information coming soon.
The NEVI Program offers competitive grant funding programs. The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program provides funding opportunities through two programs: Community Charging and Fueling Grants (Community Program) and the Alternative Fuel Corridor Grants (Corridor Program), backed by $2.5 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
How Can You Get Ready?
Not sure where to start in getting ready for our EV future? View the EV Preparedness one-pagers we’ve compiled for different public and private entities. These sheets cover educational resources, collaboration with other agencies, funding, and how to plan for and support the development of EV infrastructure.
Planning Agencies
How can regional planning agencies prepare their communities for EVs?
Electric Utilities
How can electric utilities prepare for and support the transition to EVs?
Demand, Suitability, and Prioritization
The plan outlines the demand for EV charging on Kentucky’s highways over time as well as locations that are suitable for locating chargers. It also highlights locations that are a high priority given the requirements of FHWA’s primary focus and the goals of the Commonwealth to serve all Kentuckians across the state.
Importance of Serving Rural and Disadvantaged Communities
Providing services to rural and disadvantaged communities is important to achieving equity in the implementation of the EV Plan. KYTC considered equity, access and related factors in the development of the deployment plan. Consistent with the NEVI Program Justice40 goals, KYTC is continuing to take steps to engage with disadvantaged and rural community stakeholders and groups during the plan implementation. For more information on EV charging and the Justice40 Initiative visit this website: Electric Vehicle Charging Equity Considerations from the Argonne National Laboratory for additional considerations.
Private Industry Partnership and Contracting
KYTC will contract with outside third-party entities who will install, own, operate and maintain the EV infrastructure for the Commonwealth. While the DC fast charging stations will be constructed using NEVI funding, KYTC will not own, operate or maintain the stations. KYTC will oversee the installation of the stations and will monitor performance during the five-year life of the NEVI program.