We write with some exciting news regarding Rhode Island’s transportation emission reduction efforts! Last week, Rhode Island became the first state in the nation to complete Phase 1 of the alternative fuel corridor under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program. The NEVI program is part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and funds states to deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, aiming to create an interconnected network that enhances data collection, access, and reliability for EV charging funding and development.

Myself and our Drive Green Intern Caitlyn Rodriguez in front of the newly installed DCFC at the Route 117 Park & Ride in Warwick

Launched in December 2023, Phase 1 of the program included the installation of four new Level 3 Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC) along Interstate 95—two at the Warwick Park & Ride and two at the Ashaway Park & Ride in Hopkinton. (For a reminder on what DCFC is, check out our Charging Basics page.) These ChargePoint Express Plus Power Link PL2000 series chargers can charge an electric vehicle up to 80 percent in just 20 to 40 minutes, making EV travel more convenient and efficient.

Phase 1 of NEVI was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting event at the Route 117 Park & Ride in Warwick, attended by Governor Dan McKee, U.S. Congressman Seth Magaziner, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, Speaker of the RI House Joe Shekarchi, representatives from the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the U.S. DOT/Federal Highway Administration, and the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation.

As we transition to EV’s, it is crucial that EV owners can travel with confidence, knowing that efficient and reliable charging options are readily available. With the NEVI Phase 1 project complete, Rhode Island now has eight DCFCs and six Dual-Port Level 2 charging stations strategically placed along Interstate 95, forming a network that supports both local residents and travelers.  

This map from PlugShare shows you where all public charging stations are located in Rhode Island. On the map, all orange pins represent DCFC and green pins represent Level 2 charging stations.

While a significant accomplishment, the completion of NEVI Phase 1 is just the beginning, and we will need several more chargers installed throughout the state to fully support the EV transition. Thankfully, the state plans to implement NEVI Phase 2 this Fall, which will further expand EV charging infrastructure across public and private parking lots. 

You can learn more about the NEVI program by clicking here or by reading the states Frequently Asked Questions document.