Florida slow to fund EV chargers along highways, despite federal money

Florida lags behind most states in disbursing millions in federal money to add more electric vehicle chargers along major highways. This has frustrated an unlikely group: gas stations.

An organization called the Charge Ahead Partnership, representing household names like Wawa, Buc-ee’s, Busy Bee and other major chains, is urging Florida’s government to open applications for the money because they want to get in on the business of EV charging.

The state is slated to received $198 million over five years from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, which was created as part of the bipartisan infrastructure law Congress passed in 2021. The program is designed to expand the nation’s fast-charging network by adding more chargers within a mile of interstates, helping EV drivers travel greater distances without the “range anxiety” of getting stranded on a dead battery. Businesses that receive the funding get enough to cover about 80% of the costs of installing the chargers and must put up the other 20%, according to the Charge Ahead Partnership.

The federal government approved all states’ plans, including Florida’s, for the money almost two years ago. But Florida is among 15 states that have yet to allow companies to apply for the money, according to Loren McDonald, the chief executive of a firm called EVAdoption which tracks the progress of this funding and other policies.

“Florida is the biggest state just taking forever to get the ball rolling,” said Ryan McKinnon, a spokesperson for the Charge Ahead Partnership. “They have the second-most EVs of any state in the country, so letting this pot of money languish is not good.”

Michael Williams, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Transportation, did not respond to multiple emails asking why the state has not yet opened applications and its expected timeline for doing so.

Ohio was the first state to unveil new chargers paid for through this initiative, opening in October at a Pilot gas station near Columbus. Just a handful of other states, like New York and Pennsylvania have as well. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program has faced bipartisan criticism for being slow to roll out, though McKinnon argues the onus now falls on states to not stall any longer.

This type of funding is particularly needed in Florida, he added, where Florida Power & Light, the state’s largest utility, has a “stranglehold on the EV charging marketplace,” making it “a tough state” for other businesses to compete.

A tool on Florida Power & Light’s website shows more than 1,000 chargers run by the utility. In 2021, state regulators approved Florida Power & Light’s request to use money collected from customers to install public fast-charging stations, among other EV initiatives. The estimated cost of these programs totaled about $205 million.

It represented the largest utility investment in a fast charger program in the country, according to a 2022 report by Atlas Public Policy, which researches the electric car market.

Chris McGrath, a spokesperson for Florida Power & Light, said the utility is proud to provide EV chargers across its service territory, including in “underserved rural communities where no other charging infrastructure exists – a major benefit during hurricane evacuations.” He also pushed back on the idea that the company owns more than “a small fraction” of Florida’s chargers.

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“At 6% of the state’s charging infrastructure, FPL is hardly a ‘stranglehold’ and we’re more than happy to partner with anyone to provide our customers with charging options – the important thing is ensuring the need is fulfilled,” McGrath said.

Beyond the jockeying within the industry, adding more chargers near highways could help alleviate one of drivers’ top concerns.

Nick Howe, president of a social club called Tesla Owners Florida, said concern about charging availability is one of the top reasons he hears from people about why they’re “gun shy” about going electric. Tesla drivers get to rely on that auto makers’ more robust charging network, but those who drive other brands may not have the same confidence.

“It has had, and continues to have, a negative effect on the EV transition,” Howe said. “I don’t think we can underestimate the importance of giving people the peace of mind that (charging) just isn’t going to be an issue.”