County receives $4.9 million for charging stations

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $4.9 million to Boulder County to increase public access to electric vehicle charging stations.

The county plans to extend stations to areas it determines have the greatest need, such as rural areas, mobile home communities and neighborhoods heavily populated with apartments and condos.

“By prioritizing public EV charging installations in rural, multi-family, and low-income neighborhoods, we’re not just building infrastructure — we’re fostering a community-wide transformation towards a resilient and accessible future,” Boulder County Commissioner Claire Levy said in a statement.

The grant was announced on Jan. 11 through the Department of Transportation’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program, which aims to provide alternate fueling sources for residential and work areas.

Boulder County applied in accordance with the county’s goal of reducing 2021 carbon levels by 80% by 2030.

“Investing in energy saving, effective, and green infrastructure for the long run is vital to tackling the climate crisis and protecting Coloradans,” U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, D-lafayette, said in a statement.

Funding will be used to provide fast chargers that charge a typical EV to 80% in around 30 minutes and Level 2 chargers that add about 10-20 miles of charge per hour.

With the expansion of EV charging stations, the county hopes to make EV ownership more accessible.

“Vehicle electrification and a robust charging network play a huge role in Boulder County’s vision for an equitable, zero-carbon transportation future,” said Boulder County Senior Sustainability Strategist Lea Yancey in a statement.