State and federal funding is expected to pay for construction of a series of new electric charging stations across New Mexico, say sources.
At least $10 million for the effort is coming through funds earlier approved by the New Mexico State Legislature. But additional funds to the tune of $38 million are coming through the big federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
In a statement, Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham remarked that New Mexico has a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to make truly transformative investments in communities large and small around our state.”
As planned, the new stations will be built at intervals of 50 miles along Interstate 10, Interstate 25, and Interstate 40.
The first station is planned for the city of Socorro in south central New Mexico, on city property off Interstate 25.
Federal funding of upwards of $5 billion has been made available for charging station construction projects across the country, with those funds to be used in the next 5 years.
Earlier this year, Jerry Valdez, director of the New Mexico Department of Transportation, said efforts are under way to work with “federal, state, tribal, local, regional, and a wide range of private sector stakeholders to deploy and expand access to electric vehicle infrastructure with an emphasis on equity in rural areas.”
According to the site Stacker.com, there were more than 2,600 registered electric vehicles in New Mexico as of late this spring.
By Garry Boulard
