Wisconsin to add 42 new fast-charging stations
The US state of Wisconsin is set to gain 42 new fast-charging sites after securing $25 million in federal grant funding through the NEVI programme. This follows a legal dispute involving Wisconsin and 15 other states over the release of federal EV infrastructure funding.
Image: Kwik Trip
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.”
The latest funding brings the total awarded through Wisconsin’s NEVI programme to approximately $62 million, supporting 120 charging projects across the state. Of these, 25 charging stations are currently operational. Furthermore, WisDOT says the state has now reached a key milestone under the federal programme, with charging infrastructure funded at every 50-mile mark along Wisconsin’s designated interstates and highways – allowing further funding to be directed towards other parts of the state’s road network.
The news follows a lengthy dispute between the federal government and over a dozen US states regarding the future of NEVI. After taking office in early 2025, the Trump administration suspended the programme while it ‘reviewed its guidelines’ – effectively blocking states’ access to federal charging funds.
In May 2025, a coalition of 20 Democrat-led states subsequently sued with a federal judge ruling in January of this year that the suspension was unlawful. The US Department of Transportation was then ordered to stop withholding NEVI funds or revoking previously approved state plans.
However, the administration has continued to seek changes to the programme: in February, it proposed tightening ‘Buy America’ requirements for NEVI-funded charging equipment, potentially requiring up to 100 per cent US-made content for some components.
In a statement, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said: “While the Trump Administration has repeatedly threatened this important funding, here in Wisconsin, we fought hard to make sure these investments came back to Wisconsin like we were promised. And today, we’re proud to see this programme continue to support our network of clean energy EV charging stations to help meet the needs of Wisconsinites and the demands of a 21st-century economy.”