WASHINGTON — More Wisconsinites may be willing to ditch their gas guzzlers for electric vehicles because of incentives the federal government is offering.

This all comes as the Evers administration leans into its vision of a vast electric-vehicle charging network across the state.

What You Need To Know

  • Wisconsin is set set to receive $79 million over the next five years from the Infrastructure and Jobs Act to build out a network of electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations across the state|

  • Governor Tony Evers submitted a plan to the Federal Highway Administration that would guarantee EV drivers a charging station within one mile of an exit every 50 miles of every major highway in the state

  • If approved, the state would receive $11 million this year to start the build

Advocates said an infusion of $79 million from the federal bipartisan infrastructure law — enacted last year — could make the transition from gas to electric smoother.

“The state just submitted their plans on how to use those resources back at the beginning of August,” Francisco Sayu, emerging technology director for Renew Wisconsin, said. “The plan is being reviewed right now by the Federal Highway Administration. The first stage of that plan will be to build out the alternative fuel corridor.”

Wisconsin Electrification Initiative is the state’s version of the Biden administration’s National Electrification Initiative.

Under WEIV, EV drivers would be guaranteed a charging station within one mile of an exit, every 50 miles, of every major highway in the state.

But advocates said Wisconsin will need help from private businesses to ensure there are enough charging stations in rural parts of the state.

“The NEVI program is providing up to 80% funding for these charging stations,” Sayu said. “So we still need partnerships with private sector that can bring that additional 20% to get to the total cost. But 80% is a big push to get us there.”

There are more than 9,000 registered EV in the state and just over 300 charging locations, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

The new climate and health care law signed by President Joe Biden includes tax credits for people seeking to buy EVs.

“We’re fighting to make them cheaper,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “That’s what this legislation did and this tax credit will make both new and used more affordable.”

But the tax credits come with some caveats. There are income limitations and some provisions that require automakers to manufacture a certain percentage of the vehicle in the U.S.

“I think that it’s going to be more challenging at the beginning to qualify for the tax credit,” Sayu said. “But long term, it’s a better solution, because we’re not only supporting electrification, but also domestic manufacturing.”

The state is expecting a response from the Federal Highway Administration on its plans by next month.