$15M in grant funding for electric vehicle charging network moves forward

The Public Works Committee (on Wednesday, December 4), recommended approval of file #241213 – resolution relative to acceptance and funding of a grant agreement through the United States Department of Transportation’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure program to develop a public electric vehicle charging network. The grant award is for the amount of $14.96 million. The file, sponsored by Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic and co-sponsored by Alderman Peter Burgelis, lays the groundwork for the City of Milwaukee to create an extensive electric vehicle charging network.

“Last year, the Common Council adopted our city’s Climate and Equity Plan, which included ambitious goals of  reducing community-wide greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030 and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Supporting electric vehicles for both City use and public use is a key part of achieving those goals,” said the Council Members. “The nearly $15 million grant will allow for approximately forty-seven EV charging sites in Milwaukee, and a few additional sites in neighboring communities within Milwaukee County, including Milwaukee County parks or cultural sites. This is a sizable step forward to fulfilling our promise to prioritize climate and equity change.”

The project will equitably expand access to EV charging by siting at least 40% of the chargers in disadvantaged neighborhoods across Milwaukee, and create good jobs that reduce the City’s greenhouse gas emissions. In total, the City would install publicly accessible electric vehicle chargers at approximately 53 sites across the City of Milwaukee and neighboring communities through a public-private partnership. The City’s Environmental Collaboration Office further developed a Preliminary Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan and applied for the federal funds. The plan includes a Community Benefits Plan for good paying local jobs, a public-private partnership to finance and maintain the system, and a preliminary list of locations.

The project has two phases. In the first phase, the City will finalize the locations of the charging stations in conformance to federal criteria and further public engagement, complete preliminary engineering, and begin the process to procure a partner.  In phase 2, with subsequent Council approval of locations, construction will commence on the stations, with Milwaukee Public Library locations being the first priority.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.