SC+EV Resources

The SC+EV initiative will position South Carolina for the future of electrified mobility through the creation of a reliable and accessible statewide network of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. This initiative is in support of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program.

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program was established as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which was written into law in 2021.

The NEVI Formula Program aims to provide a nationwide network of EV chargers by 2030 to ensure a convenient, reliable, affordable, and equitable charging experience for all users. The program will provide dedicated funding to states to encourage comprehensive plans regarding the development and deployment of EV-related infrastructure.

The SC+EV initiative will begin with the implementation of DC Fast Charging infrastructure to serve travelers along South Carolina’s Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs). The NEVI program requires that AFCs become certified as fully built-out (according to NEVI requirements) before the remainder of a state’s NEVI funds can be spent off-corridor. NEVI requirements include stations being spaced no more than fifty miles apart and no more than one mile off a given interchange. SCDOT will be working toward achieving fully built-out status of the AFCs, and working simultaneously to develop a plan for how the remainder of the funds can be spent on EV charging infrastructure within the state that serves the needs of South Carolina’s people and economic success.

The Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFC) program began in 2016 as a way to designate corridors throughout the country as having the infrastructure needed to support travel using alternative fuels, including electric vehicles (EVs), Hydrogen, Liquefied Natural Gas, Compressed Natural Gas, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas. When the NEVI program was established with the passage of the IIJA, any existing corridors a state had previously nominated as an AFC became the corridor network required to be built-out according to NEVI standards. States have the discretion to nominate additional corridors, but those would also require build-out according to full NEVI standards.

Within South Carolina, the AFC network includes I-20, I-26, I-77, I-85, and I-95 (FHWA AFC map). At this time, SCDOT does not anticipate that additional corridors will be nominated to the AFC program, meaning the remainder of the NEVI funds can be used on charging equipment outside of the minimum NEVI standards and in areas and applications outside of the AFC network.

While the NEVI program was established by the federal government, South Carolina DOT is viewing the program as an opportunity to expand access to EV charging infrastructure for travelers and communities. This will ease the anxiety experienced by electric vehicle users when seeking locations to charge their vehicles. This program will also support job growth and commerce that compliments the robust economy in South Carolina for the automotive industry, batteries, and other related technologies. Learn more at https://scpowersev.com.

The NEVI Formula Program provides dedicated funding for states to strategically deploy EV infrastructure and establish interconnected EV networks. South Carolina is eligible to receive nearly $70 million in funding as part of this program. This funding will be provided over a five-year period, with $10.36 million in the first year and approximately $15 million per year for the remaining four years of the program. Private industry partners will be eligible for up to an 80% reimbursement through the NEVI program and will be responsible for providing a minimum 20% match.

Per federal NEVI guidance and requirements, the SC+EV initiative must meet the following requirements:

• Maximum 50 miles between charging stations
• Charging stations must be located no more than a one-mile drive distance from an AFC interchange
• Charging stations must support a minimum of four vehicles charging at 150kW simultaneously
• Charging stations must support both CCS and NACS charging and be publicly accessible 24 hours a day

SCDOT is working with various agencies and partners in the development of the 2024 plan and is leading an Interagency EV Working Group to support the execution of this effort. This work is in support of Governor McMaster’s Executive Order 2022-31. SCDOT is collaborating with the Energy Office of the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (Energy Office), the South Carolina Division of the FHWA (FHWA-SC), the Office of the Governor, Department of Commerce, Department of Employment and Workforce, Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Environmental Services, State Fiscal Accountability Authority, the Technical College System, electric utility providers, and many others to ensure the success of this program.

This work is in support of Governor McMaster’s Executive Order 2022-31.

SC+EV will work to:

• Enhance mobility for EV owners and operators through a more convenient, affordable, reliable, and equitable statewide charging network
• Accelerate economic development in South Carolina’s electric-mobility sector through further investment, research and development, and additional employment opportunities across the state
• Facilitate investment in South Carolina infrastructure that will help expand, support, and preserve the state’s environment, economy, and values.

The development and implementation of the SC+EV initiative will catalyze economic development and growth in the state’s already booming automotive and EV industries. This initiative will support job growth in the EV charging sector and contribute to further investment in EV charging infrastructure across the state.

There are a variety of electric vehicle options on the market today. Some EVs operate solely on batteries, while others are hybrid models with both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. If you’d like to learn more about EVs, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) provides an overview on the different types of EVs.

If you’d like to learn more about NEVI, visit the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation website.

If you would like to learn more about tax credits, visit the Department of Energy’s informational web page.

If you would like to see more general information about EVs and charging, visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center website.

FHWA requires that each state submit an updated NEVI plan by August 1 of each year. FHWA has extended the deadline to September 1 for 2024. SCDOT will post updated plans to the SC+EV website once approved by FHWA.

Extensive public outreach and stakeholder engagement has and will continue to occur to help identify fair, equitable, and contextually appropriate locations for the charging equipment. For Phase 1 of the initiative (AFC build-out), SCDOT has developed and applied a robust strategy to identify potential sites that will meet NEVI requirements and the needs of specific corridors and sites. Visit the Industry page for more information on Phase 1 siting.

SCDOT strives to collaborate, engage, and partner with various industry partners and organizations as part of the SC+EV initiative. SCDOT has and will continue to hold various virtual and in-person meetings across the state of South Carolina to engage utilities, potential site hosts, EVSE suppliers and manufacturers, and other stakeholders and partners in this process. For more information on upcoming engagement opportunities, contracting, and involvement, please visit the Industry Information page for more information.

SCDOT strives to engage and gather input and feedback from various communities and members of the public as part of the SC+EV initiative. To support this effort, SCDOT facilitated multiple in-person and virtual public engagement opportunities across the state. For more information on completed public engagement opportunities, please visit the Get Involved page of this website. A virtual public meeting is also available 24/7 at this website.

If you are a potential EV charging site host, equipment manufacturer, charging services provider, electrical contractor, utility, or provider of other services, look out for industry networking opportunities coming later this year. You can also view existing industry partners and register as an industry partner on the industry page.

You can sign up to receive email updates regarding the South Carolina Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan by visiting the Contact Us page of this website.