New EV charging stations planned for The Ridge

The State's vision is to strategically deploy an interconnected network of public electric vehicle charging infrastructure to encourage electric vehicle travel. (Courtesy photo)

Rochester and Sanbornville have been designated to be among a handful of new EV charging locations designed to bolster the charging infrastructure of Electric Vehicles along alternative fuel corridors throughout New Hampshire.

The New Hampshire DOT has conditionally awarded $2.8 million in federal funds as part of the State's Phase 1 National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program in conjunction with the State of New Hampshire Plan for EV Infrastructure Deployment.

The program provides around $17.2 million to New Hampshire over a five-year period to deploy fast and reliable electric vehicle charging stations along alternative fuel corridors. The goal of the NEVI program, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is to locate half a million new charging stations along major travel routes throughout the country.

Phase 1 of New Hampshire's NEVI plan provides a framework to develop a network of EV charging stations along the major travel corridors of I-93 and NH 16, according to a statement released by the DOT on Wednesday. The State's vision is to strategically deploy an interconnected network of public electric vehicle charging infrastructure to encourage electric vehicle travel, maintain economic competitiveness, and stimulate public-private sector collaboration in the State of New Hampshire.

NHDOT will be providing nearly $3M in grants. Four projects were selected to expand access and charging reliability in New Hampshire. The conditional awards, and the associated locations for the chargers, will go to:

· Revision Energy, White Mountain Visitor Center, North Woodstock

· Gridwealth EV, 75 Laconia Road, Tilton

· Gridwealth EV, 127 Market Place Blvd, Rochester

· Global Montello Group , Global Mobil Mart, Sanbornville

Projects will begin after National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) completion and NH Governor and Council approval. Projects may begin in mid to late 2024.