Dude, where's my electric car charging station?

COEUR d’ALENE — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Idaho Office of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Idaho Transportation Department are gathering statewide public feedback on the future placement of electric vehicle charging stations throughout Idaho.

An online survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/evidaho and takes about five minutes to complete.

A public meeting is scheduled in Coeur d’Alene, Wednesday, June 29 at noon at the Idaho Transportation District 1 office at 600 W. Prairie Ave. in Coeur d’Alene.

A virtual meeting will be hosted on Zoom, July 13 at 11 a.m. Visit https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpcuurpzooE9c1-wDY-HDF-MVVOG0Z3zNU to register in advance.

The effort coincides with a recent Federal Highway Administration announcement of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, an initiative to fund strategically placed charging stations establishing a network for electric vehicle cross-country travel.

Idahoans have the opportunity to provide feedback about where the charging stations should be built, with a focus on locations near Idaho interstates and state highways. Once data is compiled, the Idaho Transportation Department will present its findings along with a strategic plan to help guide electric vehicle infrastructure rollout.

Once the Idaho Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan is approved, which is expected after Sept. 30, Idaho is anticipated to receive $4.4 million for the first year, and $6.3 million annually for the following four years. The funds will be used to administer grants or agreements for implementing charging stations across Idaho.