The Kansas Department of Transportation is announcing a Request for Information (RFI) in advance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along the state’s most traveled highways.

Through this RFI, KDOT seeks to receive input from industry stakeholders and potential applicants that will help develop program criteria for awarding funding toward the installation of EV charging equipment. KDOT has identified approximately 12 preliminary locations for the installation of Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) stations (50 kW or greater) to improve public access to charging stations every 50 miles along primary corridors.

Proposed EV charging station locations (within 5 miles of corridor exit):

• I-70 – Oakley/Grainfield/Grinnell area

• I-70 – WaKeeney

• I-70 – Russell

• I-70 – Ellsworth/U.S. 156 exit

• I-70 – Abilene to Junction City area

• I-70 – Manhattan to Paxico area

• I-35 – Ottawa

• I-35 – Emporia

• I-35 – Cassoday to Matfield-Green area

• I-35 – Belle Plain – Wellington Area

• I-135 – Newton/North Newton

• S. 81 – Concordia

Nationwide there has been a strong push for the adoption of electric vehicles from both the public and private sectors. While some charging infrastructure already exists, it’s important for Kansas to ensure continuity of travel across the state for travelers and commerce, said Secretary Julie Lorenz.

“KDOT wants to work in partnership with the private sector to expand EV charging stations,” Lorenz siad. “This RFI is the first step in that process.”

Funding for the charging stations is provided by the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust, which made approximately $2 million available to Kansas for EV charging infrastructure.

Responses to this RFI must be emailed to kdot.designcontracts@ks.gov by 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24.

More information related to this RFI can be found at: https://sos.ks.gov/publications/Register/Volume-40/Issue-36-September-9-2021.html.