Wisconsin EV charging network; bill could unlock $78M in funds
MILWAUKEE - A Wisconsin bill that could make a statewide EV rapid charging station network possible is now on Gov. Tony Evers' desk.
State law does not currently allow private companies to sell electricity by the kilowatt-hour, which makes the state ineligible for the more than $78 million in federal funds. A bipartisan bill that passed the Legislature changes that law.
If Evers signs the bill, the federal grants will be available to reimburse private companies – like gas stations – that install EV rapid chargers.
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Wisconsin is currently only one of two states whose law prohibits private companies from selling electricity per kilowatt-hour. Only public utilities, such as energy companies, are allowed to sell electricity that way under the existing law.
Current electric vehicle drivers say finding high-speed electric chargers in Wisconsin can be downright impossible. While there are hundreds of electric chargers across the state, when it comes to level 3 chargers that are able to juice up any model EV quickly, there were only four locations in the state as of December 2023.
Wisconsin EV chargers; state at risk of losing $78M
Wisconsin may be at risk of losing more than $78 million slated to build a network of high speed electric vehicle charging stations.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation said last year that it approved a plan that could create "full coverage" for EV drivers, meaning there would be a high-speed electric vehicle charging station within 50 miles of another location on all main routes.