National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Public Law 117-58 (Nov. 15, 2021), includes important new programs to address climate change by reducing carbon emissions. Among these programs is the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program that will provide funding to states to strategically deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and establish an interconnected network. These historic investments in EV charging infrastructure will put the United States on a path to a nationwide network of 500,000 EV chargers by 2030 and ensure a convenient, reliable, affordable, and equitable charging experience for all users.
New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) expects to receive around $38 million from this program over five years from the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) to install EV charging infrastructure with a US DOT priority on Interstate highway locations.
Infraestructura Nacional de Vehículos Eléctricos
La Ley de Infraestructura Bipartidista, promulgada como Ley de Inversión en Infraestructura y Empleos (IIJA, por sus siglas en inglés ), Ley Pública 117-58 (15 de noviembre de 2021), incluye importantes programas nuevos para abordar el cambio climático mediante la reducción de las emisiones de carbono. Entre estos programas se encuentra el Programa de Fórmula de Infraestructura Nacional de Vehículos Eléctricos (NEVI, por sus siglas en inglés) que proporcionará fondos a los estados para implementar estratégicamente la infraestructura de carga de vehículos eléctricos (EV, por sus siglas en inglés) y establecer una red interconectada. Estas inversiones históricas en infraestructura de carga de vehículos eléctricos pondrán a los Estados Unidos en el camino hacia una red nacional de 500 000 cargadores de vehículos eléctricos para 2030 y garantizarán una experiencia de carga conveniente, confiable, asequible y equitativa para todos los usuarios.
El Departamento de Transporte de Nuevo México (NMDOT, por sus siglas en inglés) espera recibir alrededor de $38 millones de este programa durante cinco años del Departamento de Transporte de EE. UU. (US DOT, por sus siglas en inglés) para instalar infraestructura de carga de vehículos eléctricos con prioridad del DOT de EE. UU. en ubicaciones de autopistas interestatales.
April Naranjo, Special Projects Division
505-629-6645
april.naranjo2@dot.nm.gov
NEVI FUNDING OPPORTUNITES
NMDOT announces NEVI Phase 1 of conditional awards in 17 counties to expand access to and reliability of electric vehicle charging in New Mexico!
NMDOT will establish Contracts with eligible entities for the installation, ownership, operation, maintenance, and reporting of NEVI-compliant electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the three (3) main alternative fuel corridors (AFCs), Interstate 25, Interstate 40, and Interstate 10. Phase 1 is funded through a NEVI competitive program and NMDOT contracting and program administration process supports efficient and effective deployment infrastructure.
NMDOT’s NEVI Competitive Selection Process Schedule:
| Activity | Date |
| SFA Release | 10/03/2023 |
| SFA Q & A / Comments Due | 11/21/2023 |
| Applications Due | 12/01/2023 |
| Notice of Intent to Award | 12/15/2023 |
| Project Contract Execution | 12/29/2023 |
Please click here for the Solicitation for Applications –DUE DECEMBER 1, 2023
Hard copies should be dropped off or mailed to:
NMDOT
ATTN: Special Projects Division
1120 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1149
EV Planning Dashboard!
Use this interactive map to locate current EV charging stations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Do American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 requirements apply to NEVI Formula Program projects?
Answer: Yes
EV charging stations must comply with ADA and Section 504 requirements and be accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or other assistive equipment. Key considerations include safety and ease of use. Specifically, designs for EV charging stations must ensure adequate space for exiting and entering the vehicle, unobstructed access to the EV charging stations, free movement around the EV charging stations and connection point on the vehicle, and clear paths and close proximity to any building entrances.
Question: Is there a map that shows the sites that have been chosen for installation of charging stations?
Answer: Yes, please see page 5 of the solicitation which displays a heat map of potential sites, every 50 miles along the three (3) alternative fuel corridors (AFC).
Question: Do Awarded Proposers need all of the certifications like a federal-aid highway projects?
Answer: Yes, in addition to the following:
Pursuant to 23 CFR 680, NEVI Standards and Requirements, the NMDOT will require that all Awardees ensure that the workforce installing, maintaining and operating Chargers has appropriate licenses, certifications and training to ensure that the installation and maintenance of Chargers is performed safely by a qualified and increasingly diverse workforce of licensed technicians and other laborers. These standards will be set forth in the contracts between NMDOT and the Awarded Proposers. Further:
- NMDOT will require that all electricians installing, operating, or maintaining EVSE must meet one (1) of the following requirements: Certification from the Electrical Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP); or 2. Graduation or a continuing education certification from a registered apprenticeship program for electricians that includes charger-specific training and is developed as a part of the national guideline standard approved by the Department of Labor (DOL) in consultation with the Department of Transportation (DOT).
- For projects requiring more than one (1) electrician, at least one (1) electrician must meet the requirements above, and at least one (1) electrician must be enrolled in an electrical registered apprenticeship program.
- All other onsite, non-electrical workers directly involved in the installation, operation and maintenance of Chargers must have graduated from a registered apprenticeship program or have appropriate licenses, certifications, and training as required by the SONM.
- Awardees must ensure that EV charging customers have mechanisms to report outages, malfunctions and other issues with charging infrastructure. Charging station operators must enable access to accessible platforms that provide multilingual services. Awardees must comply with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 requirements and multilingual access when creating reporting mechanisms.
Charging station operators must collect, process, and retain only that personal information strictly necessary to provide the charging service to a consumer, including information to complete the charging transaction and to provide the location of charging stations to the consumer. Chargers and charging networks should be compliant with appropriate Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) for the processing, transmission and storage of cardholder data. Charging Station Operators must also take reasonable measures to safeguard consumer data.
Question: Do EV Charging stations have to be open to the public? If so, how are we ensuring this?
Answer: Yes
EV Charging stations must be open to the public. To ensure this, EV charging stations are subject to a public/private partnership agreement. Funds made available under the NEVI Formula Program may be used to contract with a private entity for acquisition, installation, and operation and maintenance of publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure and the private entity may pay the non-Federal share of the cost of a project. However, even when a private entity has such a contract, under Title 23, U.S.C., the State DOT remains responsible for compliance with the NEVI Formula Program requirements and any applicable Title 23 requirements.
Question: What is the usable life cycle for the infrastructure (5 years? 10 years?) and are we requiring the T/LPA to maintain in a state of good repair for that time period? How are we doing that?
Answer:
After five(5) years, operating costs are no longer eligible reimbursements under the NEVI Formula Program. NMDOT will encouraged to prioritize use of NEVI Formula Program funds for operation and maintenance costs at EV charging station locations that may have lower utilization (particularly in the near term) but are still necessary to ensure a contiguous, national network. NMDOT also required future proofing the station which entails conduit and an electrical service box of adequate size and disconnect capacity that will allow additional electrical cable to be run to the site fir future expansion of either two additional 50 kW charging stations or a higher power station up to 400 kW.
Maintenance:
The fast charging station unit is required to have a minimum five (5) year warranty. Proof of the charging station equipment warranty must be submitted to NMDOT. Annual maintenance of the charging stations are per the original manufactured recommendations is required. All fast charging stations must continually be in full-working order to the extent possible. Should repair be necessary, service must be contacted within 24-hours and the station up and fully operational within 48 to 72 hours to ensure a 97% annual uptime guarantee. Proof of the charging station equipment warranty and a maintenance plan must be submitted to NMDOT prior to project completion as a condition of grant reimbursement approval.
Question: Is there a way I can get a link to a map that has potential/eligible NEVI locations?
Answer: Yes, please see page 5 of the solicitation which displays a heat map of potential sites, every 50 miles along the three (3) alternative fuel corridors (AFC).
Question: Regarding EVITP certification as it pertains to New Mexico’s NEVI program, and as the general contractor for any NEVI installation in the state, does our EVITP certification cover the sub-contractor as well? Or does the sub-contractor need to be EVITP certified as well?
Answer: Regarding your question concerning EVITP certification, the federal rule requires that the workforce installing, maintaining, and operating the chargers must have appropriate license, certification, and training. It also required that all electricians installing, operating, or maintaining EV supply equipment have a certification from the Electric Vehicle Training Program (EVITP) or graduation or a continuing education certificate from a registered apprenticeship program. Additionally, for projects that require more than one (1) electrician, at least one (1) electrician must be an enrolled in an electrical registered apprenticeship program.
Question: Will you please prioritize Rivian charger installation using NEVI funding?
Answer: NEVI EV Charging station must have a minimum of:
- four (4) 150 kilowatts (kW) direct charge (DC) fast chargers at each respective location;
- must be dual protocol – at least one (1) CHAdeMO fast charger and one (1) SAE Combined Charging System (CCS) fast charger; and
- must be capable of simultaneously charging up to four (4) electric vehicles at once.
Question: I'd like to request some information, as regards the requirements for a General Contractor from NY to install EV chargers in New Mexico. If the company is hiring a subcontractor to perform the work, does the company itself need to be licensed or just the contractor?
Answer: Both the company and the subcontractor must be licensed to do work in New Mexico.
Question: In Section 4.4 EVSE Specifications, 4.4.2 Project Specifications on page 12 of the SFA, the requirement outlines for each EV charging station(s), service provider, and future station owners to have a minimum dual protocol with at least one (1) CHAdeMO fast charger and one (1) SAE Combined Charging System (CCS) fast charger. Similarly, the Technical Standards outlined on page 13 reiterate the dual protocol guidance for at least one CHAdeMO fast charger and one SAE CCS fast charger. However, as noted in Attachment 5. EVSE Vendor Information and Specifications Compliance on page 56, the Applicant is instructed to confirm compliance with the following statement consistent with the NEVI Plan: “CHAdeMO standard ports are not required, however Applicants may include them, as well as private plugs, at their discretion in addition to the four (4) CCS ports required at the site.” Can NMDOT advise on whether a CHAdeMO connector is required under this program or not as stated in Attachment 5?
Answer: In response to your question, we recommend you review the following link (23 CFR 680 – NEVI Standards and Requirements), in particular the “connector type” section.
-
Section 4.4.2 PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS
-
NMDOT requires each EV charging station(s), service provider, and future station owners to have a minimum of:
-
four (4) 150 kilowatts (kW) direct current fast charger (DCFC) ports at each respective location;
-
must have a Combined Charging System (CCS) Type 1 connector;
-
must be capable of simultaneously charging up to four (4) electric vehicles at once.
-
In addition, whenever possible (not required), NMDOT will follow additional Regional Electric Vehicle (REV) West Minimum Voluntary Station Standards to make driving across the western states a seamless experience. These standards represent minimum best practices, and their use will help ensure a consistent and consumer-friendly experience:
Technical Standards
- Dual protocol – at least one CHAdeMO fast charger and one SAE CCS fast charger.
Question: The graphic below (posted in the NEVI SFA) does not have any markers such as cities, mile markers, exit numbers, or any other identifying information. This identification would be extremely helpful because when looking at the graphic it is impossible to tell where exactly the heat markers are.
Answer:
Please be advised that NMDOT will be following the NEVI guidance of every 50 miles along the three (3) alternative fuel corridors (AFCs), which the heat map in our solicitation shows the target areas. If you are seeking deviation from this, you may consider requesting a waiver with justification in your proposal as we will not be providing exact locations.
|
Is sales tax an eligible cost? The application should exclude the applicable state gross receipts tax or local option tax; however, if awarded the Awardee shall be required to pay the tax including any increase in the tax becoming effective after the contract is entered into. The tax shall be shown as a separate amount on each billing or request for payment made under the contract. |
|
In one section on page 12 of the NEVI SFA, it states that NMDOT requires CHAdeMO however, in attachment 5, it states that CHAdeMO is not required. Please clarify if CHAdeMO is required for this solicitation, and if so, is NMDOT requiring 1 CHAdeMO charger per station or 1 CHAdeMO port per location? Please see the FAQs on NMDOT’s webpage as this question has been responded to. In addition, whenever possible, NMDOT will follow additional Regional Electric Vehicle (REV) West Minimum Voluntary Station Standards to make driving across the western states a seamless experience. These standards represent minimum best practices, and their use will help ensure a consistent and consumer-friendly experience.
|
|
If an organization would like to comment on the contractual language, should we submit our comments with our proposal or should we wait until after awardees are determined? Please see free to comment on the contractual language within your proposal. |
|
Is this bid required to be submitted as a paper copy or electronic copy? We recommend avoiding hard copies for this submission, as we’ve observed multiple applicants applying for more than one site per state, which could potentially inundate NMDOT with an excessive number of binders and paper copies. Instead, we suggest that NMDOT consider transitioning to an electronic or portal submission method for greater ease in managing and tracking all proposals. Please follow the submission process set forth within the solicitation. |
|
Is there a required format that NMDOT would like the project schedule attached as? No particular format is required. |
|
RFP states: All costs must be the actual price NMDOT will pay for the specific item or service identified and may not be contingent on any other factor or condition in any manner. What if costs increase dramatically, out of the applicants’ control? Those criteria such as discounts, transportation costs and total or life-cycle costs that will affect the total cost/price shall be objectively measurable. Evaluation factors need not be precise predictors of actual future costs, but to the extent possible the evaluation factors shall be reasonable estimates based upon information the state has available concerning future use. Life-cycle cost evaluation may take into account operative, maintenance, and money costs, other costs of ownership and usage and resale or residual value, in addition to acquisition price, in determining the total cost over the period the item will be used. |
|
Is both the FY22 and FY23 funding being used for this RFP Phase 1? What is the total amount allocated for this RFP Phase? The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) appropriated NEVI Formula Funding among States on a formula basis. Under the formula, each State received a share of program funding equal to the State’s share of the combined amount that FHWA distributed determined by 23 U.S.Code 104. New Mexico’s share was approximately $38 million annually for five (5) years. |
|
Grant ask vs. total project cost? Applicants may apply for up to 80 percent (80%) federal cost share of the eligible costs, with a minimum required match of 20 percent (20%) from non-federal sources. All eligible costs, as detailed in Section 5.4 and 6.4.1 of the solicitation, to procure equipment, construct the facility, provide utility company connectivity to a at location across the 997 miles of I-25, I-40, & I-10, product warranties, etc. are reimbursable using federal funds for up to 80% of the eligible costs. Those criteria such as discounts, transportation costs and total or life-cycle costs that will affect the total cost/price shall be objectively measurable. Evaluation factors need not be precise predictors of actual future costs, but to the extent possible the evaluation factors shall be reasonable estimates based upon information the state has available concerning future use. Life-cycle cost evaluation may take into account operative, maintenance, and money costs, other costs of ownership and usage and resale or residual value, in addition to acquisition price, in determining the total cost over the period the item will be used. |
|
What is the point allocation of the 50 maximum points per section The evaluation shall be based on the evaluation factors and the relative weights set forth in this SFA. The rating system shall be as follows: Applications must score at least 125 points to be considered for an award to be funded. The NMDOT reserves the right to award the contracts to the Applicant whose applications are deemed to be in the best interest of the NMDOT and the State of New Mexico. As part of the final funding decisions, the NMDOT will also consider other factors such as: geography, cultural and linguistic diversity of communities, and types of activity. |
|
NMDOT reserves the right to award the contracts to the Applicant whose applications are deemed to be in the best interest of NMDOT and State of NM. Please explain in detail how an Applicant can provide a proposal that is in the best interest of NMDOT and State of NM? Please consider the entirety of the solicitation in determining your best interest for submittal. |
|
Will any points be awarded for the inclusion of NACS connectors (in addition to required CCS connectors?) Applicants are required to stay abreast of updates to NEVI Frmula Program Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), or any supplement rules that apply to the NEVI Formula Program, as projects must comply with current NEVI Requirements at any given time during the development and operations phases. NMDOT will also consider other factors such as: geography, cultural and linguistic diversity of communities, and types of activity. NMDOT will continue to monitor standards that are necessary for the growing adoption of electric vehicles. |
|
Will any points be awarded for the installation of canopies? Canopies are not a requirement based on the NEVI formula; however, whenever possible, NMDOT will follow additional Regional Electric Vehicle (REV) West Minimum Voluntary Station Standards to make driving across the western states a seamless experience. These standards represent minimum best practices, and their use will help ensure a consistent and consumer-friendly experience: Station Siting Standards – Security cameras, adequate lighting, and an emergency shelter. NMDOT will continue to monitor standards that are necessary for the growing adoption of electric vehicles. |
|
What is the link to the electronic system mentioned: In terms of electronic submission, the entire required information and accompanying documents for the SFA must be submitted via the electronic system being used by NMDOT… Please refer to Section 6.1 on the solicitation. All application materials are to be organized and submitted as one (1) complete, sealed hard copy application file, with four (4) separate binders/tabs, (per Application Section). If mailing applications, please be advised that all applications must be received by the SFA Coordinator by said deadline above. Four (4) hard copies of the application(s) must be received on or before 4:30 p.m. MDT, on December 1, 2023. |
|
Are contract redlines allowed after award? Post award our legal team will provide awardee the opportunity to review and redline within the parameters of the solicitation and NEVI requirements prior to FINAL execution of contract. |
Question: 1. CHAdeMO ports are not officially required, but only recommended by NMDOT? In that, we can propose a station with no CHAdeMO ports? 2. If we do propose CHAdeMO ports, we may propose the number of CHAdeMO ports that we would like to include in the EV charging station (noting that CHAdeMO cannot dispense charging of more than 62.5kW per port)?
Answer:
- Section 4.4.2 PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS
- NMDOT requires each EV charging station(s), service provider, and future station owners to have a minimum of:
- four (4) 150 kilowatts (kW) direct current fast charger (DCFC) ports at each respective location;
- must have a Combined Charging System (CCS) Type 1 connector;
- must be capable of simultaneously charging up to four (4) electric vehicles at once.
In addition, whenever possible (not required), NMDOT will follow additional Regional Electric Vehicle (REV) West Minimum Voluntary Station Standards to make driving across the western states a seamless experience. These standards represent minimum best practices, and their use will help ensure a consistent and consumer-friendly experience:
Technical Standards
Dual protocol – at least one CHAdeMO fast charger and one SAE CCS fast charger.
Question: If we do not provide a CHAdeMO port, will this negatively impact our Technical Application Score?
Answer:
No it will not.
In November 2021, the Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) allocated up to $7.5 billion over five years for states to enhance their Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure.
The electric vehicle infrastructure funding will help EV drivers to have regular access to charging stations to help avoid a situation where a driver could be stranded without services. Additionally, the added infrastructure will bolster tourism as EV vehicles become more popular nationwide.
There are two sources for funding: Federal Formula Funding and Discretionary Grants
New Mexico is allocated $5.6 million this year and expects $7 million each year for the next four years for a total of $38 million for EV infrastructure, including:
- Acquisition and installation of EV charging infrastructure and traffic control devices and signs.
- Operation and maintenance of EV charging infrastructure for up to five years.
- Data sharing about EV infrastructure to ensure long-term success of equipment installed under the formula program.
- Development activities related to acquisition or installation.
- Mapping and analysis to evaluate locations for charging infrastructure.
In preparation to execute NEVI funding and other program incentives, the state is currently developing a NEVI Plan and will host virtual meetings over the next months to allow the public and interested parties to provide comments and feedback. The NEVI Plan is due to the Federal government in August 2022.
Formula Funding Details
State agencies will not own, operate or maintain the charging infrastructure through the NEVI program. Instead, this funding will be used to incentivize private industry to build the corridors. The first round of Federal guidance specifies some finer details of the program, including distance between chargers, strength of chargers and other requirements.
Guidance requires formula funding to be prioritized on charging stations installed along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, especially the interstate corridors, before being installed elsewhere. Currently New Mexico’s interstates are designated as “EV Corridor-Pending” status by the FHWA. The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation is the decision authority on when corridor build out is complete.
Guidance also requires charging infrastructure to be open to the public or to authorized commercial motor vehicle operators from more than one company. Chargers cannot be located more than 1 mile from the interstate off-ramp and be no more than 50 miles apart from each other. There are also specifications for charger strength, with requirements for Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC) and 150kW and higher charging capacity in each location.
Additional guidance from the NEVI Program Joint Office is expected this summer
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is working collaboratively with partners and stakeholders to develop the New Mexico National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Plan. The plan is required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), to access National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula program funding. The NM NEVI Plan is due to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) by August 1, 2022.
Funds must be used for:
- The acquisition and installation of EV charging infrastructure to serve as a catalyst for the deployment of such infrastructure and to connect it to a network to facilitate data collection, access, and reliability;
- proper operation and maintenance of EV charging infrastructure; and
- data sharing about EV charging infrastructure to ensure the long-term success of investments made under the program.
Request for nomination: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/alternative_fuel_corridors/nominations/2022_request_for_nominations_r6.pdf
State by State Funding for NEVI: www.fhwa.dot.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law/evs_5year_nevi_funding_by_state.cfm
Wage and Hour: https://www.dws.state.nm.us/en-us/Labor-Relations/Labor-Information/Wage-and-Hour
New Mexico Alternative Fuel Corridors: https://AlternativeFuelsCorridorRelease070120.pdf (nm.gov)
Interstate Vehicle Miles Travelled map
