New Mexico plans to invest US$38 million in electric vehicle charging stations

NEW MEXICO – New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has unveiled a state plan to execute US$38 million in federal funding to expand electric vehicle charger infrastructure.

“New Mexico is leading the nation in driving the future of greener transportation. Whether it’s a trip across town or across the state, we are using every tool available to ensure that everyone in New Mexico can benefit from electric vehicles. Building a comprehensive network of electric vehicle charging stations across the state will not only reduce our greenhouse gas emissions caused by transportation – and its effects on frontline communities – but will also open up cities and towns for additional tourism, attracting new visitors and putting more money into local economies,” the governor said.

Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, New Mexico is slated to receive $38 million over five years to complete the state’s portion of a national electric infrastructure grid. Under the state’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) plan submitted to the federal Department of Transportation, chargers will be located no more than every 50 miles along interstate highways, supporting safe and convenient travel across the state for the growing number of electric car owners.

New Mexico’s NEVI plan prioritizes practicality and efficiency by using only Level 3 chargers, the fastest available in the country. Motorists will be able to fully charge their electric vehicles in 30-45 minutes at an average cost of $20, far less than the cost of a full tank of gas.

The state estimates that about 20 more stations will need to be built to reach the federal target. The state will use the remaining funds to continue to build out the state’s rural EV infrastructure outside of the interstate corridors.

In addition to the NEVI-funded EV chargers, Governor Lujan Grisham and the state legislature allocated $10 million in American Recovery Plan Act funds in the December 2021 special session for EV charging stations throughout the state.