3 federally funded EV charging stations open in Arizona

The first three electric vehicle (EV) charging stations built as part of a federally funded program in Arizona are now open, the Arizona Department of Transportation announced Wednesday.

There will eventually be a total of around 80 statewide locations constructed as part of a nationwide network of fast-charging stations meant to encourage use of EVs and reduce concerns about battery range.

The three stations are in:

• Tucson at the Rudy’s County Store and Bar-B-Q off Interstate 10 near Kino Parkway
• Green Valley at Verde Valley Center near Interstate 19 and Duval Mine Road
• Wellton at the Chevron near Interstate 8 and Avenue 29 E

Two more locations are expected to open along Interstate 40 in Seligman and Holbrook later this year. There are also 11 other stations that are either currently under construction or being designed.

Additionally, contracts for 14 other projects are expected to be issued by late 2026.

ADOT is administering $76.5 million in federal funding through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program to build the charging stations.

The traffic authority recently opened bidding for 49 future locations that have an estimated $49 million in federal funding. The bids are the third phase in the network of charging stations, which identifies 31 new locations eligible for EV charging and 18 that weren’t awarded during the first and second phases.

Each station will have at least four 150-kilowatt direct current fast chargers, which are designed to charge an EV in 30 minutes or less. Additionally, most of them will have both the Society of Automotive Engineers North American Charging Standard and the Combined Charging System plugs.

The stations will typically be placed about 90 miles apart and within 3 miles of a highway.

They will be privately owned and operated as federal funds pay for up to 80% of the eligible project costs, while the private developer covers a minimum of 20%.

Proposals for the 49 stations need to be turned in by 2 p.m. on Jan. 15. Construction is then supposed to kick off in 2028 and take around a year to complete.

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