NEVI Program 2025: Funding, Site Requirements & How to Apply

Why Gas Station Owners Should Pay Attention to NEVI in 2025

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program is no longer a distant policy conversation — it’s active funding on the table right now. As of 2025, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has allocated $5 billion over five years through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA, Public Law 117-58), and states are actively deploying those dollars through competitive grant rounds.

For gas station and fuel retail operators, this represents one of the most significant infrastructure funding opportunities in a generation. The sites best positioned to win NEVI funding aren’t necessarily large truck stops or highway plazas — they’re the kinds of established, well-maintained fuel retail locations that already meet several baseline requirements. If you’ve been on the fence about EV charging, the NEVI program’s 80% federal cost reimbursement structure makes 2025 the year to act.

This guide breaks down the 2025 program structure, federal site requirements, how state programs work, and the concrete steps you need to take to get your application in front of a decision-maker.

What Is the NEVI Formula Program?

NEVI is administered by the FHWA under 23 U.S.C. § 151 and governed by the FHWA’s final rule published at 23 CFR Part 680 (effective March 30, 2023). The program’s primary goal is to build a national network of publicly accessible, fast EV chargers along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) — primarily Interstate highways and key U.S. routes.

Each state received an annual NEVI apportionment based on lane miles and vehicle registration data. States then deploy these funds through their own State EV Infrastructure (SEVI) Deployment Plans, which FHWA must approve. By early 2025, all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico have had their SEVI plans approved, meaning funding pipelines are open nationwide.

Key funding structure: NEVI reimburses up to 80% of eligible project costs (federal share), with the applicant covering the remaining 20% as a non-federal match. In some states, additional state-level grants or low-interest loans can reduce the out-of-pocket cost further.

2025 NEVI Program Updates: What’s Changed

The program has matured significantly since its 2022 launch. Here are the most important 2025 developments for fuel retail operators:

• Phase 2 corridor buildout is underway. Many states completed Phase 1 (every 50 miles on designated corridors) and are now funding community charging and off-corridor locations, broadening eligibility for more gas station sites.
• Buy America requirements are enforced. As of July 2024, NEVI-funded equipment must comply with 41 U.S.C. §§ 8301–8305 Buy America provisions. Charger manufacturers must certify U.S.-manufactured components — verify this before purchasing equipment.
• Cybersecurity standards apply. FHWA now requires NEVI-funded stations to meet NIST Cybersecurity Framework protocols for networked charger systems. Non-compliance can trigger funding clawback.
• Data reporting is mandatory. Operators must submit uptime, utilization, and pricing data to their state DOT and through the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation’s data platform. Failure to report can result in loss of reimbursement for that reporting period.
• Uptime requirements have teeth. NEVI requires a minimum 97% annual uptime per charger port. Chronic underperformance can trigger cure notices and, ultimately, grant recapture.

Federal Site Requirements: Can Your Gas Station Qualify?

This is where many operators get tripped up. NEVI has specific, non-negotiable federal minimum standards defined in 23 CFR § 680.106. Your site must meet all of the following to receive NEVI funding:

Location Requirements

• Site must be located within 1 mile of an FHWA-designated Alternative Fuel Corridor (Interstate exit ramps are the most common qualifying access points).
• Must be publicly accessible — gated, membership-only, or fleet-restricted sites do not qualify for corridor funding.
• Must have restrooms, food/beverage access, and adequate lighting available to EV charging customers during operating hours (or 24/7 if staffed).

Charger Specifications

Requirement	Federal Minimum Standard
Charger type	DC Fast Charger (DCFC) only for corridor funding
Connector type	CCS1 required; NACS (SAE J3400) now also accepted as of 2024
Minimum power output	150 kW per port
Minimum number of ports	4 ports per funded location
Network connectivity	Required — OCPP 1.6 or later protocol
Payment methods	Credit/debit card (ISO/IEC 15118 compliant); no app-only payment
Pricing display	Must display price per kWh clearly at the charger
ADA compliance	Required per ADA Standards for Accessible Design
Annual uptime	97% per port, measured annually

Electrical and Utility Considerations

One of the biggest practical barriers for gas station owners is electrical capacity. A 4-port, 150 kW DCFC installation typically requires a 500–800 kW service upgrade, depending on your existing infrastructure. Utility interconnection timelines in many markets are running 12–24 months — meaning you should initiate utility conversations before submitting your NEVI application, not after.

Make-ready infrastructure costs (trenching, conduit, transformer upgrades) are eligible for NEVI reimbursement under the 80/20 cost-share structure, which significantly changes the financial calculus for many operators.

How State NEVI Programs Work: The Application Layer

FHWA doesn’t fund applicants directly — your state Department of Transportation (DOT) or a designated state energy office manages the competitive solicitation process. This means requirements, timelines, scoring criteria, and deadlines vary by state.

Typical State Application Process

1. Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) released — Watch your state DOT’s website and sign up for procurement alerts. Most states post NOFOs on their official DOT site and on SAM.gov.
2. Site eligibility pre-screening — Many states offer an optional (sometimes required) pre-application to confirm corridor proximity and basic site qualification before you invest in a full application.
3. Full application submission — Typically includes site plans, electrical assessments, proof of property control (ownership or long-term lease), business financials, and a project timeline.
4. Technical review and scoring — States score applications on criteria such as corridor coverage gaps, site amenities, minority/rural community access, and operator experience.
5. Award and grant agreement execution — If selected, you’ll execute a grant agreement with the state DOT specifying deliverables, milestones, and reporting obligations.
6. Reimbursement-based funding — NEVI is a reimbursement program. You pay upfront for qualified costs, then submit for reimbursement. You must have capital or financing to cover costs during construction.

What States Are Prioritizing in 2025

Based on published SEVI plans and 2024–2025 award patterns, most states are scoring applications higher when they demonstrate:

• Locations in coverage gap areas (50+ miles between existing chargers on a corridor)
• Sites in rural, tribal, or disadvantaged communities (Justice40 Initiative alignment)
• Operators with existing fuel retail experience and site maintenance track records
• Projects that can be operational within 24–30 months of award
• Commitment to amenity standards above the federal minimum (24/7 operation, expanded food service)

Financial Breakdown: What NEVI Actually Covers

Understanding eligible vs. ineligible costs is critical to accurate budgeting. Here’s what the 80% federal reimbursement can and cannot cover:

Cost Category	NEVI Eligible?
DCFC hardware purchase	✅ Yes
Installation and electrical work	✅ Yes
Utility make-ready (trenching, transformer)	✅ Yes
Network software setup and first-year fees	✅ Yes (varies by state)
Project management and engineering costs	✅ Yes (capped, varies by state)
Land acquisition	❌ No
Ongoing electricity costs	❌ No
Marketing or signage beyond wayfinding	❌ No
Canopy or building construction	❌ Generally No (state-specific exceptions exist)

A typical 4-port 150 kW DCFC installation at a gas station runs $300,000–$600,000 in total project costs. At 80% reimbursement, your out-of-pocket exposure is $60,000–$120,000 — before any state-level incentives, utility rebates, or federal tax credits (the 30C Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit under the Inflation Reduction Act may also apply, up to 30% of costs).

Compliance and Ongoing Obligations

Winning a NEVI award is not the finish line — it’s the starting line for a multi-year compliance obligation. Operators who treat NEVI as a one-time transaction risk grant recapture and reputational damage with state DOTs that will run future solicitations.

Key Ongoing Requirements

• 5-year useful life requirement: NEVI-funded equipment must remain operational and publicly accessible for a minimum of five years post-installation. Removing or restricting access triggers repayment obligations.
• Monthly/quarterly data reporting: Most states require uptime, session count, energy dispensed, and pricing data submitted through approved reporting platforms.
• Annual site audits: Expect state DOT representatives or their contractors to conduct site visits. Keep maintenance logs, repair records, and network data accessible.
• Equipment maintenance contracts: FHWA strongly recommends (and some states require) a documented maintenance and repair protocol with response time commitments.
• Signage compliance: FHWA-approved EV charging wayfinding signs along the corridor must be in place. Work with your state DOT on blue highway sign applications.

NEVI and Your Existing UST Compliance Program

For fuel retailers already managing underground storage tank (UST) compliance under 40 CFR Part 280, adding EV infrastructure introduces a new layer of site management — but not necessarily a conflicting one. In fact, several compliance parallels exist:

• Like UST release detection, NEVI requires continuous monitoring (uptime tracking) with documented response to failures.
• Like state UST program inspections, NEVI audits require you to demonstrate operational records on demand.
• Electrical installation for DCFC equipment must meet local building codes and NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code) requirements — a process your existing site contractor relationships can support.

Operators who have invested in strong UST compliance cultures — documentation systems, staff training, third-party inspection relationships — are well-positioned to manage NEVI compliance obligations with similar rigor.

Action Items: Your 2025 NEVI Checklist

1. ✅ Confirm corridor eligibility: Use the FHWA Alternative Fuel Corridors map (afdc.energy.gov) to verify your site is within 1 mile of a designated corridor.
2. ✅ Find your state’s NEVI program contact: Visit your state DOT website or the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation’s state program directory (driveelectric.gov).
3. ✅ Sign up for NOFO alerts: Register on SAM.gov and your state DOT’s procurement portal so you don’t miss solicitation windows.
4. ✅ Begin utility conversations now: Contact your utility’s key accounts or commercial services team to start the interconnection feasibility process — this is your longest lead-time item.
5. ✅ Get an electrical site assessment: Commission a licensed electrical engineer to evaluate your existing service capacity and estimate upgrade costs.
6. ✅ Consult your attorney on grant agreements: NEVI grant agreements are legally binding federal instruments. Have counsel review reimbursement terms, clawback provisions, and reporting obligations before signing.
7. ✅ Evaluate financing options: Since NEVI reimburses after expenditure, identify a line of credit or equipment financing to bridge construction costs.
8. ✅ Review 30C tax credit eligibility: Work with your tax advisor to determine how the Inflation Reduction Act’s Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit interacts with NEVI reimbursements.
9. ✅ Assess amenity compliance: Confirm your site meets restroom, lighting, and food/beverage availability standards — or plan modest upgrades that may also be eligible costs.
10. ✅ Document your site’s operational history: Grant reviewers look favorably on experienced operators. Compile your years of operation, compliance history, and customer service data.

The NEVI program represents a generational opportunity for fuel retail operators to diversify revenue, extend the useful life of high-traffic sites, and build customer relationships with the growing EV driver market. The operators who engage now — before their competitors claim corridor slots — will be the ones who define what the next era of fuel retail looks like in their markets.

For the most current state-specific solicitation information, visit the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation’s NEVI resource hub or contact your state DOT’s EV infrastructure program directly.