Does Missouri’s new law ban investment in electric vehicle charging stations?

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Missouri made national headlines this summer for banning local mandates on electric vehicle charging stations. So our viewer Kathy asked this question: How much money has Missouri spent on electric vehicle charging stations and how much are we sending to the federal government?

Gov. Mike Parson recently signed the bill banning local mandates. The new law means cities and counties cannot require businesses, churches or organizations to install a designated number of electric vehicle charging stations in any new parking lot they pave.

This doesn’t mean that electric vehicle charging stations can’t be built in the state. The sponsor sent an email saying thatThe bill has nothing to do with federal funds.

And Missouri businesses continue to invest in charging stations. After the bill was signed, an Ameren spokesperson spoke with one of our Gray stations.

“We’ve received a lot of attention from our local business customers who want to learn more about this,” says Sacoyya Davis. “Whether it’s to meet sustainability goals within their organization or simply to meet the needs of customers visiting their businesses.”

Meanwhile, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act will send Missouri nearly $99 million over five years to build charging stations. This is federal money.

Linda Horn of MoDOT tells us, “MoDOT is working collaboratively with MODNR to develop a plan with utilities and other partners to ensure the location of the stations is practical and beneficial. The state of Missouri will not own or operate these charging stations, but will be responsible for the administration of the federal funds.”

Horn added in an email: “To date, Missouri has not spent any of the federal funds for NEVI and we have not had to pay any back. The deadline is 2026.

Outside of that federal program, the Federal Highway Administration tells me that three charging grants have been awarded in Missouri: one each in Columbia, Kansas City and University City for a minimum of 72 charging stations.

They told us in an email; In January 2024, FHWA awarded the City of Columbia, Missouri, $3.6 million from the CFI Grant Program to construct 44 new electric vehicle chargers at two parking lots, a public library, and the regional airport. Funds will also be used for project planning, communications, outreach, and public education about the new electric vehicle charging network, particularly in disadvantaged communities surrounding Columbia.

In August 2024, FHWA awarded the following CFI grants in Missouri: University City, a suburb on the western edge of St. Louis, will receive $500,000 to install up to 32 publicly accessible electric vehicle charging ports along Delmar Boulevard. The Delmar Loop, located at Delmar Boulevard, is a major thoroughfare in a historically disadvantaged area that helps connect residents and visitors to the greater St. Louis area. University City has a population of more than 35,000 but currently has no electric vehicle charging stations.

The City of Kansas City will receive $2 million to build electric vehicle charging stations at publicly accessible sites owned or operated by the city. The project will expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, as well as in urban communities with multi-family housing, such as apartments and townhomes, that have a limited number of private parking spaces.

So, regarding the viewer’s question, Missouri has not spent any federal money on electric vehicle charging stations thus far, and the state has not sent any of that money to the federal government.

Separately, we reached out to City Utilities about the progress of electric vehicle charging stations in the Springfield area. The utility wrote: Other local organizations have taken the lead in deciding where to place and install charging stations, and CU has assisted with the installation of a fast charger and installed an electric vehicle charging system, which is located in the Olive Street parking lot. We currently do not anticipate making additional financial commitments for electric vehicle chargers in the near term, and we continue to work to communicate and educate our customers about the billing impacts of installing high-demand chargers for business owners.

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