The Arizona Department of Transportation has selected AECOM (NYSE: ACM) to plan a statewide deployment of electric vehicle charging stations backed by federal government funding.  

AECOM, a Dallas-based Fortune 500 infrastructure consulting firm, will develop a plan on how ADOT can place EV charging stations along alternative fuel corridors and comply with federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) guidance.  

AECOM’s plan will also aim to reduce anxiety over the range of EVs and use a public education effort to encourage more people to purchase EVs over gas and diesel options.  

“Transportation electrification is key to improving environmental and public health while bolstering transit mobility, parity, and sustainability. Our team of experts, who reflect nationwide best practices and local experience, are thrilled to support Arizona’s deployment of a convenient, affordable, reliable, and equitable EV network in this capacity,” said Travis Boone, chief executive of AECOM’s U.S. West region, in a statement.  

AECOM will also perform project management, engagement and outreach with over 400 identified stakeholders, existing and future conditions analysis such as charging demand and grid capacity assessment and future EV charging infrastructure guidance.  

EV charging infrastructure gets federal funding

As part of NEVI and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, $5 billion was made available to states to fund publicly accessible EV chargers along alternative fuel corridors. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act also includes $30.7 million for EV investments like charging infrastructure.  

Arizona will receive $78.5 million over five years in NEVI funding for this statewide charging station network. The charging stations will be 80% federally funded and 20% privately funded.

Charging stations will be placed along alternative fuel corridors, defined in Arizona as the interstates. They will be located every 50 miles within one mile of the freeway. ADOT is seeking public input for criteria for the placement of the stations.  

The plan must also be equitable as part of the Justice40 Initiative, a federal commitment to ensure 40% of funding goes toward disadvantaged communities, including efforts to address unequal access to transportation and clean energy. This includes tribal lands.

Complying with Justice40 will potentially improve access to clean transportation, decrease consumer costs with affordable charging and reduce exposure to pollution by fossil fuel emissions.  

When to expect EV charging stations

ADOT held a virtual statewide public meeting July 14 for public input, and a public survey in English and Spanish will close July 21. ADOT is consulting with tribes statewide throughout the process.  

The plan will be submitted to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation on Aug. 1, and the final implementation plan will be due Nov. 30. ADOT expects to start building the charging stations in late 2022 into 2023.  

The city of Phoenix also recently passed a plan to put 280,000 EVs on the road by 2030 by prioritizing disadvantaged communities impacted by pollution, public adoption through education and electrifying its own fleets.