The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) recently held an outdoor electric vehicle expo at its headquarters to discuss electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.
The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocates $75 million over five years to electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Louisiana. The state will receive $14.1 million this fiscal year.
Over the next 12 months, DOTD will develop grant programs and plans to solicit applications. In the following 12 months, it will award funding, monitor and inspect installations, and identify and correct weaknesses in the grant programs.
Gov. John Bel Edwards, DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, and representatives from Louisiana Clean Fuels attended the expo.
“This federal funding is a critical to helping Louisiana do its part to reduce carbon emissions in order to provide a more sustainable future for generations to come,” Wilson said. “Overall, we want to convert gas stations into fuel stations where a variety of fuel options, including electric charging, are available. In order to become a competitor in green energy, Louisiana must make changes, and this starts with our transportation industry.”
“To address climate change, I have established the goal for Louisiana to be at net zero for greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” Edwards said. “To help accomplish this, the Louisiana Climate Action Plan calls for transitioning the public fleet to low- and zero-emission vehicles.”