Jackson, Wyoming Secures $5.5 Million Grant for EV Charging Infrastructure

The affluent city of Jackson, Wyoming, has secured a $5.5 million grant from the federal government to broaden its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The announcement, made by the Biden administration on Tuesday, highlighted Jackson and its regional partners in Teton County as recipients of this funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s $2.5 billion charging and fueling infrastructure program, as well as a 10% allocation from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.

Wyoming, particularly in the high-traffic areas near Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, has been identified as lacking in EV charging stations, despite these parks drawing nearly 8 million visitors last year, according to the National Park Service. The state currently hosts 261 EV charging ports, representing just 0.55% of the 47,014 chargers nationwide, as reported by the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

This funding is part of a broader $521 million initiative by the Biden administration to support the development of 9,200 EV charging ports across 29 states. Although Wyoming is pursuing further funding through the NEVI program, it has not received additional grants from this round of federal distribution.

Despite a rise in EV registrations within Wyoming, the state remains one of the lowest in the nation in terms of electric vehicle adoption. The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is gradually advancing plans to partner with private entities to establish a charging network along Interstates 80, 25, and 90. This effort is distinct from Jackson’s initiative, reflecting the city’s greater financial capability and higher concentration of electric vehicles.

The price of a Tesla in 2024, for example, ranges from $38,990 to $113,630, depending on the model and features. In comparison, WYDOT is expected to release a request for proposals (RFP) by early 2025, seeking collaboration to implement the federal EV charging infrastructure program across major highways in the state. Jordan Young, a spokesperson for WYDOT, confirmed these plans.

Although Wyoming has seen some growth in EV numbers, it still ranks near the bottom nationwide, with only North Dakota trailing behind. In 2023, Wyoming registered 1,080 electric vehicles, a modest increase from 800 in 2022, yet this still accounts for only 0.03% of the total 3.3 million EVs registered across the country.

Wyoming continues to push forward with its plans to develop a statewide network of EV charging stations, with WYDOT expected to issue its first RFP in early 2025. This initiative, backed by $26.8 million, aims to establish 26 charging stations across the state. WYDOT is working closely with HDR Inc., a consulting firm, and the Federal Highway Administration’s NEVI program, which provides federal funds to support the construction of charging stations along interstate corridors. The NEVI program mandates a 20% match from private businesses to build and operate these stations, with federal funds supporting their operations for up to five years without requiring state funds.

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