Nation’s Largest Municipally Owned EV Charging Station Opens Thanks to CFI Grants
Sept. 30, 2024
Today, the City of Mount Vernon, Washington opened the largest municipally owned electric vehicle (EV) charging station in the United States. The city was awarded $12.5 million in Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) grants to build EV chargers and paired that with other state and local funding to complete a mixed-use project that includes a public library, community conference center, a structured kitchen, and a three-floor parking garage. Washingtonians and those traveling along the I-5 Alternative Fuel Corridor between Seattle and Vancouver, Canada, will now be able to easily charge their vehicles at one of the 76 charging ports, four of which are DC fast chargers.
Commuters can also access nine electric bicycle charging lockers at the new station. The Mount Vernon project is primed for future growth with the capacity to install 200 additional charging ports. The project also supports a regional transit stop linking Skagit, Whatcom, and Snohomish counties.
“Mount Vernon has shown forward thinking in building a multi-modal charging hub with amenities that’s ready for use now and prepared for more demand in the future,” said Gabe Klein, Executive Director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. “The Joint Office is excited to congratulate the City of Mount Vernon on this historic accomplishment. This public community charging project leveraged federal, state, and local funds to enable zero-emission mobility in the city and along the I-5 corridor for all those who work, live, and play in the area.”
The Biden-Harris Administration’s CFI Grant Program continues the build out of EV charging and alternative-fueling infrastructure in communities across the country, along designated highways, interstates, and major roadways. The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) recently applauded the latest round of CFI grants awardees, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. To date, the CFI Grant Program has awarded over $1 billion to nearly 100 projects nationwide that have spurred private investments in growing the nation’s EV charging network and are actively deploying chargers across the country and ensuring more drivers can charge their EVs where they live, work, and shop, while also supporting longer trips. These historic investments are going to accelerate the country’s transition to a clean energy economy while reducing pollution and harmful greenhouse gas emissions. The Joint Office provides technical assistance to communities at all stages of interest, planning, and deployment of electric mobility technologies. Contact us to request Joint Office technical assistance.