Seven projects that aim to develop regional EV charging infrastructure plans will receive $7 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. The projects will facilitate electric charging and hydrogen fueling for medium- and heavy-duty trucks along major transportation routes in the country.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will collaborate with industry partners on four projects, providing insights and recommendations for zero-emission charging infrastructure across more than half of the United States.

According to NREL, the electrification and hydrogen fueling corridor planning projects play a critical role in achieving federal clean energy targets, such as decarbonizing the U.S. transportation sector by 2050 and deploying more than 500,000 EV chargers nationwide by 2030.

Developing the necessary infrastructure to support battery-electric and hydrogen-fueled vehicles can significantly reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality, particularly in areas near freight corridors and major highways, according to the announcement.

4 Projects to Reduce Greenhouse Gases

NREL researchers are supporting four of the seven projects the DOE is funding. The projects are:

Infrastructure Along The I-95 Freight Corridor

In collaboration with Calstart, NREL researchers will develop infrastructure deployment plans along the I-95 freight corridor, spanning from Savannah, Georgia, to Newark, New Jersey. To identify optimal locations for EV charging and hydrogen refueling sites, the project will analyze:

• Goods movement.

• Energy demands.

• Infrastructure requirements.

Hydrogen Fueling Stations Along I-80

Cummins will lead NREL researchers to develop comprehensive plans for battery-electric charging and hydrogen fueling stations along a segment of I-80 that crosses Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

The goal is to establish a network of charging and fueling stations that will support the transition of 30% of the medium- and heavy-duty fleets in the region to zero-emission technologies by 2035.

Electrification Along Utah’s Wasatch Front

In collaboration with a team from Utah State University, NREL researchers will assist in developing an action plan for corridor electrification along Utah's Wasatch Front.

NREL will provide operational data on commercial vehicles, expertise in EV charging and grid interconnection analyses, and input on hydrogen infrastructure requirements. The project aims to address equity concerns and promote sustainable transportation solutions in the region.

Commercial EV Charging Along New England’s Freight Corridors

A National Grid-led project in collaboration with NREL researchers will create a detailed model of truck operations along New England's freight corridors to simulate future electric truck operations and identify ideal charging locations.

The project will cover multiple states in the region and use NREL's EVI-X modeling suite to develop a cost-effective plan for large-scale EV charging deployment. The project aims to create a blueprint for commercial EV charging deployment that can serve as an example for other regions.