EV PLAN

Learn about Kentucky's Electric Vehicle Charging Program

KY's EV Plan Plan Implementation

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Kentucky’s EV Infrastructure

Kentucky has an increasing number of Level 2 and DCFC charging stations across the Commonwealth. Maps of EV charging locations can be found on the Resources page of this website. Most of these locations are privately owned and operated, but many are open to the public. 

As outlined below, more charging stations are needed to meet the expected need over the next five to 10 years and Kentucky has a plan to help accelerate that expansion.

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Barriers to EV Adoption in Kentucky

KYTC reached out to hundreds of stakeholders during the first half of 2022 with the development 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 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 July 30, 2023, and approved September 29, 2023. This secures the funding for FY 2024.

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Next Steps

Kentucky is actively implementing the EV Plan. This includes ongoing outreach to industry and agency partners. A second Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued on February 19, 2024 with proposals due April 19, 2024. 

KYTC Outlined Five Key Goals That Align With Kentucky’s Long Range Plan Goals and Objectives

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

 

Kentucky’s Priority EV Corridors Are Shown on the Map Below

Kentucky’s Designated Alternative Fuel Corridors Are Shown on the Map Below

Fuel Corridor Map

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 2024. 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.

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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. 

Read the Plan

Implementing the Plan

Schedule

The proposed schedule is shown below and will result in private firms to be ready to start implementation in late 2023.

Schedule
EV Plugs

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

A Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued on January 4, 2023 and closed January 27 after receiving over 150 comments. A Final RFP was released June 15, 2023, and closed August 24.

KYTC will not own, operate or maintain charging stations and will work with the private sector and other industry partners on procurement.

A total of 150 proposals were submitted by 23 development teams in response to the RFP. To date, 16 proposals in 11 of the 17 segments, or corridor-groups have received a notice of award. Project agreements will be executed in within the next 90 days.

Other EV Infrastructure Initiatives

In addition to KYTC’s program to begin installing DCFC stations on all Interstates and Parkways across the state, there are other active EV infrastructure initiatives. The VW Settlement Funding Program is being developed by EEC and will fund EV charging infrastructure in needed areas that are not on the Alternative Fuel Corridors.

The Tennessee Valley Authority also has an EV infrastructure funding program and it is anticipated other organizations will be forthcoming with similar programs in the near future.

The NEVI Program will also have a competitive grant funding program that will be announced 2023. The details of this program are not known, but it is expected to be a national program that creates opportunities for installing EV charging infrastructure in underserved areas.

The NEVI Program will include competitive grant funding programs, the first of which were available for applications May 14 – June 13, 2023. 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). The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $2.5 billion over five years for this program.  

The Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator grant opportunity was announced on September 13, 2023. Eligible applicants include state departments of transportation and local governments for assistance in repairing or replacing non-operational EV chargers. Applications will be accepted through November 13, 2023.

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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.

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Local Government

How can local agencies get ready for the transition to EVs?

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Planning Agencies

How can regional planning agencies prepare their communities for EVs?

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Electric Utilities

How can electric utilities prepare for and support the transition to EVs?

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