42 More Fast Charging EV Stations Coming to Wisconsin
Evers hails victory as federal judge unlocks $25 million withheld by Trump administration.
Electric car charging station. (CC0 Public Domain)
Wisconsin will be getting another 42 electric vehicle charging stations under a federal program temporarily halted by President Donald Trump’s administration.
The money was unlocked by a federal judge after Wisconsin and 15 other states sued to restore the congressionally authorized funds.
A Tuesday statement from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers says the 42 charging stations will be built at gas stations, hotels and and grocery stores near major interstates from Hayward to Racine.
The $25 million in grants for the latest round of stations comes from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program created under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021. No Republicans from Wisconsin’s congressional delegation voted for the law.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 25 charging stations have come online. The Evers administration states a total of 120 fast chargers have received funding through the federal program.
“The stations provide fast charging at convenient locations where drivers can also take care of other errands while charging up,” said state DOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “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.”
Shortly after the start of Trump’s second term, his administration froze the congressionally authorized federal EV infrastructure program funding. U.S. Rep. Tony Wied, R-De Pere, introduced a bill to repeal the program. U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, who is now running for governor, signed on to the bill as a cosponsor.
Wisconsin joined 15 other states in suing the administration last year. The lawsuit claimed it was “deprived of access” to $62 million that had already been awarded to build its EV charging station network.
In January, a federal judge agreed with the states and ruled that the U.S. Department of Transportation “defied the will of Congress” by withholding the funding and ordered the DOT to release money.
In his statement, Tuesday, Evers said Trump “has repeatedly threatened this important funding” and the state fought hard make sure it gets to Wisconsin.
“Today, we’re proud to see this program 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,” said Evers.
Clean Wisconsin spokesperson Amy Barrilleaux told WPR the additional $25 million for another 42 charging stations will help the state wind down its reliance on fossil fuels.
“This is an important step, and we’re seeing all across the world people making the transition in other countries to electric vehicles. We don’t want to get left behind in Wisconsin or anywhere else,” said Barrilleaux.
Barrilleaux notes that in order to accept the federal funds, Wisconsin lawmakers passed two bills in 2023 with nearly unanimous support.
With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law expiring at the end of September, Evers is now calling on Congress to continue its funding levels for future transportation projects.
After legal fight, more EV charging stations coming to Wisconsin was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.
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