Photo: Kwik Trip
Wisconsin is awarding $25 million in federal funding for 42 new DC fast-charging stations, expanding its EV charging network beyond the state’s interstates and onto more US and state highways.
The new stations will be built in 42 communities, from Sturgeon Bay and Eagle River to Viroqua and Prairie du Chien. The locations include gas stations, hotels, grocery stores, restaurants, and other businesses where drivers can grab food or run errands while they charge.
Because the projects are funded through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program that was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, each station must have at least four CCS ports capable of delivering 150 kW simultaneously. That means the awards will add at least 168 fast-charging ports across the state.
The chargers will include models from Autel, Gilbarco, and Tesla, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. WisDOT hasn’t said how many of the new locations will also have NACS connectors, but 93% of the current online chargers have NACS connectors.
The full list of sites includes Kwik Trips in Belgium, Coloma, Prairie du Chien, River Falls, Sturgeon Bay, and Whitewater; hotels in Boscobel, Dodgeville, Eagle River, Oconomowoc, Richland Center, and Watertown; and a Woodman’s grocery store in Madison. There’s a complete list and map of the 42 locations on WisDOT’s website.
Beyond Wisconsin’s interstates
Wisconsin has now completed the NEVI requirement to fund charging stations no more than 50 miles apart along its designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. That gives the state more freedom to use the federal money on secondary routes that weren’t eligible in the first two funding rounds.
The latest awards target busy roads, including US 10, US 12, US 18, US 45, US 61, and US 63, as well as 12 state highways.
“From the start, we’ve planned an EV charging station network that will benefit both EV drivers and Wisconsin communities. The stations provide fast charging at convenient locations where drivers can also take care of other errands while charging up,” said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman.
WisDOT has now awarded $62.1 million in NEVI funding to 120 charging locations. The federal grants can cover up to 80% of a project’s eligible costs, with recipients responsible for at least a 20% match.
So far, 26 of Wisconsin’s previously awarded NEVI stations are operational. The state says they’re seeing strong use, but it didn’t provide utilization figures.
The awards come after the Trump administration tried to freeze NEVI funding in February 2025. Wisconsin joined a multistate lawsuit challenging the move, and a federal judge blocked the administration from withholding the money in June 2025.
“With gas prices that are sky-high thanks to President Trump’s war in Iran, expanding our electric vehicle charging infrastructure and helping families save money on fuel is as important as ever,” said Governor Tony Evers.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is set to expire at the end of September, and Congress has yet to approve a long-term reauthorization. Evers last week urged Wisconsin’s congressional delegation to pass a bill that continues funding for roads, bridges, fueling, and EV charging infrastructure.
Read more: Wisconsin gets 26 new fast-charging stations with $14M of grants
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