Rhode Island Secures $15 Million Federal Grant For Expansive EV Charging Network

Rhode Island will enhance its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure with a $15 million federal grant as announced by the United States (U.S.) Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse along with Governor Dan McKee, will support the installation of 206 new EV charging stations across the state.

The project, dubbed “Charging Ahead: Rhode Island Working Together for Electrification,” aims to create 85 charging hubs throughout Rhode Island. This initiative is part of the state’s broader efforts to make EV charging more accessible and convenient for Rhode Island residents and visitors alike.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will spearhead the project in collaboration with the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) and the Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM). The plan involves a two-phase rollout, with a focus on installing chargers in various community locations including public parking lots, municipal buildings, schools, and parks.

Senator Jack Reed expressed the importance of the project stating, “Charging an electric vehicle should be as easy as filling up at a gas station. This new $15 million investment will grow the state’s electric charging infrastructure network in a smart, sustainable way that reduces pollution and helps people lower their fuel costs.”

A key aspect of the initiative is its commitment to equity. The project will prioritize disadvantaged communities when selecting charging station locations, aligning with the federal Justice40 Initiative. This approach aims to ensure that the benefits of EV infrastructure reach all segments of the population.

Governor Dan McKee highlighted how this funding complements existing state efforts saying, “These additional funds will help accelerate the expansion of charging stations across the state and support workforce development initiatives while contributing to our Act on Climate Change objectives.”

Notably, the project goes beyond just installing hardware. It includes plans for increasing public awareness of EVs through community engagement, education, and workforce training programs to support the growing EV network.

Rhode Island EV ingrastructure Progress

Rhode Island has already shown leadership in EV infrastructure development. The state recently became the first in the nation to complete Phase 1 of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program, installing eight Direct Current Fast Chargers and six Dual-Port Level 2 charging stations along I-95’s Alternative Fuel Corridor.

Read More: U.S. Supercharges EV Infrastructure With $521 Million Grant Program

As this $15 million grant is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program, it will significantly invest and grow the charging infrastructure while aiming Rhode Island to the forefront of the transition to electric mobility.

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