The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has announced $12.16 million in federal grants aimed at expanding the state’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The funding, provided through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program, will support installation of 14 new charging stations along major highway corridors in Washington.

According to WSDOT’s January 29, 2026 announcement, five companies—Electric Era, Energy Northwest, EV Gateway, EVgo, and Tesla—were selected to build, operate, and maintain the new stations. The sites will be located along Interstate 90 (in Cle Elum, Ellensburg, George, Issaquah, Moses Lake, North Bend, Ritzville, and Veradale), U.S. 97 (Goldendale and Toppenish), U.S. 195 (Colfax and Pullman), and U.S. 395 (Colville and Deer Park).

WSDOT Secretary of Transportation Julie Meredith said the projects will close key gaps in Washington’s EV charging network, making highway travel more practical for electric vehicle owners. “These projects fill key gaps in the state’s highway EV charging network and will make electric vehicle travel even more convenient,” Meredith stated. “We’re pleased to invest these federal funds with companies that will now build, operate and maintain these charging stations.”

The new stations are expected to be constructed within the next two years, expanding access to EV charging along crucial transportation routes statewide. The state’s NEVI plan—temporarily paused in 2025 during a federal funding dispute—was reinstated following a court decision in favor of Washington and several other states. The ruling found that federal officials had unlawfully withheld funds designated for EV infrastructure efforts.

In Cowlitz County, while no immediate NEVI-funded sites have been announced locally, the expansion along I-90 and U.S. corridors could strengthen interregional EV travel options linking southwest Washington drivers to broader state and interstate networks.

More information about the NEVI grant program and future funding rounds is available on WSDOT’s program page.