OLYMPIA, WA— The Washington State Department of Transportation has awarded $12.16 million in federal funding to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Washington, with new stations planned in 14 communities along four major highways.

According to a WSDOT press release issued Thursday, the funding comes through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program and was awarded to five companies: Electric Era, Energy Northwest, EV Gateway, EVgo, and Tesla. The projects are expected to be completed within the next 24 months and will include construction, operation, and maintenance of the new charging stations.

The new stations will be built along Interstate 90, U.S. Highway 97, U.S. Highway 195, and U.S. Highway 395. Planned locations include Cle Elum, Ellensburg, George, Issaquah, Moses Lake, North Bend, Ritzville, and Veradale along I-90; Goldendale and Toppenish along U.S. 97; Colfax and Pullman along U.S. 195; and Colville and Deer Park along U.S. 395.

WSDOT Secretary of Transportation Julie Meredith said the projects are intended to close gaps in the state’s highway charging network and make long-distance EV travel more practical. The agency says the new stations will also expand charging access near the Idaho and Oregon borders and within 50 miles of Canada, while improving reliability along heavily traveled corridors.

The announcement follows a federal court ruling earlier this week that cleared the way for NEVI funding to resume after it was paused in 2025. A judge ruled that the funds had been unlawfully withheld, allowing Washington and other states to move forward with their approved plans.