Multiple funding sources have paved the way for electric vehicle charging stations to be installed in the Mat-Su Borough over the next five years.
The Alaska Energy Authority, or AEA, began its work in electric vehicle charging infrastructure with the Volkswagen settlement funding. Alaska received more than eight million dollars as part of that settlement and AEA developed the Beneficiary Mitigation Plan to allocate the funding for various projects. Fifteen percent of that funding was set aside for electric vehicle infrastructure, with about one million dedicated to install stations at host sites from Homer to Fairbanks.
That initial funding required a 20 percent match from the host partner, however, the private sector partners went above that to provide half the funding. Many more applications were received than could be funded, but the Three Bears in Trapper Creek is one that will get an EV station.
Beyond the Volkswagen funding, the state also will receive about $52 million to further EV infrastructure. The AEA had already developed an initial plan and that was used to submit the application for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, or NEVI, funding. The Alaska Department of Transportation will take on the reporting and fund management while AEA is taking the lead in getting partner host sites and managing installation.
Though the funding is secured, AEA still has several major issues to resolve before the funding can be used. According to Executive Director of the AEA, Curtis Thayer, the NEVI program requires that charging stations be located every 50 miles along the alternative fuel corridor, but that may not be practical in remote areas. For example, the area between Denali State Park and Cantwell is farther than the 50-mile requirement.
In addition, the funds must be used for DC Fast chargers. Audrey Alstrom, Director of Alternative Energy and Energy Efficiency of the AEA, says that the government’s funding requires that the chargers be a minimum of 150 kilowatts. That may be difficult in some areas since the electrical service required to install chargers with that amount of power is not available. Alstrom indicates that they will need to discuss the issues with the Department of Energy.
The NEVI funding also is focused on investing in disadvantaged communities, which accounts for much of the northern section of the Parks Highway alternative fuel corridor. Each charging site must be located within one mile of the corridor. NEVI funds will cover 80 percent of the costs, with a 20 percent match from partner host sites. The costs include upgrading the service, wiring, and other infrastructure needs. The overall investment will be approximately one million dollars per location.
Thayer indicates that supply logistics are the biggest hurdle of the project, with a nine-month lead time for parts. Only several years ago, there were concerns about battery life in cold climates, distance between charging stations, and types of vehicles offered. Thayer says “People are disappointed that charging stations aren’t in certain areas rather than not wanting them.” And now that trucks and SUVs are coming to the market, EVs are more competitive.
The NEVI-funded stations are expected to be installed over the next five years. The Volkswagen-funded stations, including the Trapper Creek site, are expected to be installed as soon as the equipment supply and site logistics are ironed out, likely sometime in 2023.
