The Cherokee Nation is set to install 112 EV charging ports with new federal funding
Tahlequah: The Cherokee Nation just scored a cool $10.7 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation. This funding will help them set up 112 electric vehicle charging ports across 12 spots in the community.
This money comes from a big $2.5 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The goal is to add 11,500 EV charging ports nationwide by 2030. Pretty ambitious, right?
The tribe plans to put these charging stations near parks and health centers. They want to make sure everyone on the reservation is within 25 miles of a charging station as part of their clean energy goals.
Some of the proposed locations for these charging stations include places in Ochelata, Jay, South Coffeyville, Nowata, Tahlequah, Stilwell, Grove, Salina, Vinita, and Tulsa.
The U.S. Transportation Department also announced $635 million in grants to keep building EV charging and alternative fueling infrastructure. This is all part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Out of that, $368 million is going to 42 community projects to expand local charging options. The rest will fund fast-charging stations along key routes.
These grants, which come from both private and public sources, are also helping to build hydrogen fueling stations. Last year, the number of EV stations nearly doubled to 206,000, with 38,000 added just in 2024.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg mentioned that these investments are crucial for the nation’s shift to electric vehicles. He said, “These investments will help states and communities build out a network of EV chargers so that finding a charge on a road trip will be as easy as filling up at a gas station.”
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Transportation Dept. gives Cherokee Nation $10.7 mil for EV chargers
