State officials in Wisconsin have unveiled a major initiative to broaden the availability of high-speed electric vehicle charging stations, targeting both major travel arteries and smaller municipalities. The move is designed to ensure that motorists across the state have consistent, dependable access to charging infrastructure as adoption of alternative-fuel vehicles continues to grow.
Governor Tony Evers, alongside the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, announced that 42 new sites across the state have been selected to receive grant funding. These selected locations will host rapid, reliable charging equipment aimed at reducing travel friction and supporting long-distance trips through key travel corridors.
This latest round of funding delivers $25 million in financial assistance, made possible through the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program. The federal program is a central component of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocates dedicated resources to help states construct a nationwide, interconnected vehicle charging network.
With these latest awards, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has now directed approximately $62 million in total funding toward electric vehicle infrastructure. In aggregate, the ongoing state program has committed support to roughly 120 discrete charging installation projects distributed across Wisconsin communities.
The decision to fund this current wave of regional stations comes after state transportation authorities successfully met an initial benchmark. Officials achieved their baseline objective of establishing operational fast chargers at regular 50-mile intervals along the state’s primary interstates and heavily traveled highways.
Having secured that foundational coverage on main highways, the state has been able to widen the scope of its grants. The expanded phase allows transportation planners to invest in secondary routes and regional corridors that had previously fallen outside the eligibility boundaries of initial charging programs.
Communities across Northeast Wisconsin are among the notable beneficiaries of this funding round, with substantial financial support directed toward projects situated in Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, and Calumet counties. Local businesses, travel stops, and lodging destinations will serve as the host sites for these high-power installations.
Among the specific awards, the village of Reedsville secured the largest single allocation in the region. A grant of $910,260 was awarded to develop high-speed charging infrastructure at a Cenex location situated along the U.S. 10 corridor, offering convenient access for drivers traversing east-west routes.
In Sheboygan County, the Random Lake Motel, situated adjacent to State 57, was granted $627,640. This placement aims to serve both overnight guests and motorists traveling through the area, blending hospitality accommodations with modern charging amenities.
Farther west in Fond du Lac County, two distinct sites received substantial backing. A BP station situated near the State 23 corridor was awarded $609,926 to introduce fast chargers, enhancing options for commuters and visitors traveling through the city of Fond du Lac.
In Lomira, another Fond du Lac County hub, $636,446 in grant funding was approved for the Hi-Way Hop business near the Interstate 41 corridor. This installation is positioned to cater to heavy traffic volumes flowing along one of the state's busiest north-south transit pathways.
In Calumet County, the city of Chilton will see new infrastructure installed at the Best Western Stanton Inn near U.S. 10. The property was awarded $628,395 to construct charging points, providing another reliable stop for electric vehicle drivers in the region.
When evaluating grant proposals, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation utilized a comprehensive set of operational and geographic criteria. Evaluators reviewed geographic positioning, the surrounding area's capacity for sustained future development, and the operating hours of host businesses to ensure high accessibility for travelers.
State officials also gave significant weight to site design and usability, specifically assessing whether facilities could incorporate pull-through parking stalls. Such configurations are increasingly necessary to accommodate larger electric vehicles, utility models, and drivers hauling trailers who might otherwise struggle at standard charging bays.
These new projects will integrate into the Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Connecting Corridors Program, which previously excluded many state and federal highways from grant participation. By incorporating these secondary links, the state aims to eliminate charging deserts between rural towns and urban centers.
Progress on the statewide network is already visibly taking shape, with state officials confirming that 25 fast-charging stations financed during earlier grant cycles are fully operational. The ongoing expansion is intended to support everyday residents, long-distance interstate haulers, and seasonal tourists traveling throughout Wisconsin.
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