The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), intends to establish a nationwide network of electric vehicle (EV) chargers that support access and reliability for all users. Ohio will receive over 100 million dollars across the next five years for Direct Current (DC) Fast chargers to be installed along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors.

Ohio NEVI Plan

Ohio's Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Deployment plan provides a framework for building an EV charging network across the state to enable EV travel and spur economic development. The plan was submitted to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and approved in September. 

      Download Ohio NEVI Plan

Candidate EV Charging Locations

Initial candidate location areas for charging stations along interstates were identified in Ohio’s EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan, based on NEVI guidelines and EV objectives for the State of Ohio. Click on the link below for an interactive map displaying these locations. 

   VIEW INTERACTIVE MAP

We want to hear from you!

This is just the beginning! Ohio's EV infrastructure program will expand and evolve over the next several years. We want to obtain your feedback on EV charging, vehicle use, benefits, and costs. Please email your comments and questions to NEVI@drive.ohio.gov.

You can also check our events page for upcoming EV charging engagement sessions. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an electric vehicle (EV)?

An electric vehicle (EV), or a battery electric vehicle (BEV), has an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine (ICE) and a battery instead of a gasoline tank. There are also plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) which are a combination of gasoline and electric vehicles, meaning they have a battery and an electric motor, a gasoline tank, and an ICE. PHEVs use both gasoline and electricity as fuel sources. 

Are there different types of EV charging stations?

There are three primary types of EV charging.   Level 1 and Level 2 charging provide alternating current (AC) to the vehicle, which converts to the direct current (DC) needed to charge the battery. The third type, DC Fast Charging, provides electricity directly to the vehicle’s battery. The charge times vary depending on the type of charger, on-board vehicle charging equipment, the vehicle’s battery capacity, type of battery, and how depleted the battery is.

Level 1 charging uses a common 120-volt household outlet and is the slowest way to charge an EV, adding between 2 to 5 miles of range per hour. Level 2 charging is the most prevalent type of charger across the United States, these types of chargers are popular at places where vehicle owners can leave EVs charging for long durations. The time to fully recharge an EV with a Level 2 charger takes about 6 hours depending on battery size. Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC)s are the fastest chargers available, and usually can charge an EV battery to 80% in 20-40 minutes. Through the NEVI Formula Program, DCFC infrastructure will be expanded to be found along highways. 

How long does it take to charge at DCFC stations?

A Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC) can range in output from 50 kilowatt (kW) to 350kW. DCFC equipment delivers power using direct current rather than alternating current. This allows much higher charging rates compared to Level 1 and Level 2 chargers, delivering 25kWh to 500kWh per hour (i.e. power levels of 25-500kW). Depending on equipment, DCFC chargers can deliver 60-80 miles of range per 20 minutes of charge time. 

What type of infrastructure will the NEVI formula program fund?

Once the plan is approved by FHWA, Ohio will receive $100 million over the next five years to create an EV charging network across the state. Funds must initially be used to deploy EV charging stations to cover 1,854 miles of Ohio’s FHWA Designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs). The USDOT Secretary will certify corridors “fully build out” once they determine they are completed to NEVI compliant standards but will not declare any corridors complete in the first year of the program. Once Ohio’s AFCs are declared by FHWA to be “fully built out” Ohio can use the remaining NEVI Formula funds for publicly available Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Charging Stations. Charging locations developed under the NEVI Formula Program will feature a minimum of four 150 kW DCFC chargers, specifically along highways that have been designated  AFCs to be no further than 50 miles apart.

Do drivers have to pay to use EV chargers

Some vendors of charging units require drivers to subscribe to a charging service that uses credit card, cash, or radio frequency (RFID) devices to control access to the charger and to enable the owner of the charger to collect usage data and payments for charging.

There are a few different user fee and payment models when using electric vehicle chargers. 

• Free Charging: Consumer / User Amenity 
  • With this method, EV charging stations and the electricity that is consumed is free of charge for vehicle users. This option is typically preferred for Level 2 charging stations in locations where consumers, employees, or residents of apartments can enjoy the charging stations as an amenity. 
• Time of Use Fees 
  • For time of use fees, the EV Charging station assesses a time-based fee for parking ($/hour) and does not charge for electricity consumed by the vehicle. Essentially, the amount of electricity consumed during certain hours of the day is multiplied by a rate of payment specific to those hours. This is the most common method of payment today for Level 2 chargers.
• Energy Use Fees
  • The EV Charging station sells electricity by Kilowatt or MJ (megajoule), and vehicle users are charged based on electricity consumed by vehicle. This method is preferred in DC Fast Charging locations. Because DC Fast Chargers are capable of dispensing 50kW, or higher, of electricity per hour, energy use fees are the most equitable way to charge consumers for the cost of charging. 
• Combination Fee (Time + kWh) 
  • The EV Charging station assesses a time-based fee for parking ($/hour) and charge fees for electricity by kWh or MJ, vehicle users are charged based on electricity consumed by the vehicle.

Source: DriveOhio Electric Vehicle Charging Study

How many chargers are currently available in Ohio?

Ohio Currently has 235 publicly available non-Tesla DCFC ports, with 13 locations fully meeting NEVI compliant standards. Additionally, the State of Ohio has 1,964 publicly available Level 2 EVSE non-Tesla ports. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) passed in 2021, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI) will provide Ohio with over 100 million dollars across the next five years for Direct Current (DC) Fast Chargers along Alternative Corridors. It is a goal to expand the accessibility of these chargers and have them located every 50 miles to ease range anxiety and make travel for EV drivers easier. 

Source: Alternative Fuels Data Center: Alternative Fueling Station Locator (energy.gov)

Will the plan cover rural locations?

Under the NEVI program, at least four DCFCs will be provided every 50 miles along Alternative Fuel Corridor highways. The proposed charging locations will cover a large majority of the state of Ohio, including rural and Appalachian counties.

How can cities or municipalities get involved with or prepared for EV infrastructure?

• Municipalities should begin by reading the DriveOhio EV infrastructure plan which is linked as a resource along this page.
• Knowing what utility companies are doing locally and how they can get involved should be a focus, as well as developing other partnerships and thinking about local grant applications. 

How will equity and Justice40 be considered in EV transportation planning and projects?

The Formula Program funds will be developed through engagement with rural, underserved, and disadvantaged communities in support of the Justice40 Initiative as a part of Executive Order 14008, which has a goal of delivering 40 percent of the benefits of federal investments in climate and clean energy to disadvantaged communities. ODOT has reviewed available US DOT and US DOE definitions of disadvantaged communities and understands that the relevant agency definitions, methods, and tools for identifying these communities, as well as for determining the calculation of benefits, are continuing to evolve with future expected guidance.

Will the electric grid in Ohio need to be updated to accommodate these vehicles?

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) believes that grid modernization plans developed for the future must address how the existing distribution of the grid will adapt to meet anticipated energy and power needs of EVs.

Are there any plans to replace lost tax revenue caused by electric vehicles to pay for road maintenance and new construction?

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) was awarded a $2 million grant, in March of 2022, by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to research a new funding model. The grant will facilitate a feasibility study for a vehicle miles traveled funding model, or VMT – a type of road user fee that is levied on drivers based on the number of miles driven.

Are there any incentive programs in Ohio or reimbursements for installing EV charging infrastructure?

• Currently, there are no State of Ohio funds available for EV charging infrastructure. DriveOhio is currently evaluating proposals from the first round of procurements related to the approved Ohio EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan. Selected proposers will be awarded projects which will be funded using NEVI funds allocated to the State for Fiscal Year 2022 and Fiscal Year 2023.
• Ohio’s electric distribution utilities (EDUs) have programs available for supporting EV charging infrastructure deployment. 
• Also, the Ohio EPA is in the process of dispersing Volkswagen (VW) Diesel Mitigation Trust Fund settlement dollars through a grant process.