According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), the grants will fund charging in 42 communities and prioritise sites along US and state highway corridors that were not previously considered for funding under the state’s Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (WEVI). The charging stations will be installed at a range of existing businesses, including petrol stations, hotels, restaurants and grocery stores. Locations include Milwaukee, Madison, Racine, Eau Claire and Green Bay communities plus several smaller towns across the state.
Individual grants range from around $397,000 to $930,000 USD, with the largest award going to a site at Walker’s Point Plaza in Milwaukee. The projects were selected partly on the basis of their locations, potential for future development, availability of pull-through parking for larger vehicles and the opening hours of the host busineseses.
Kristina Boardman, secretary of WisDOT, said: “The stations provide fast charging at convenient locations where drivers can also take care of other errands while charging up. We’ve seen strong use of the 25 chargers that are operational now, and we’re so pleased this program is bringing people into communities to support local businesses like fuel retailers, grocery stores, hotels and restaurants.”
