ST. PAUL,
Minn. - The Interstate 94 corridor from Detroit, Mich., to the Minnesota/North
Dakota border is one of 55 routes the Federal Highway Administration has
designated nationally to promote alternative fuels and help drivers find
vehicle charging stations nationwide.
Spanning
35 states and covering 85,000 miles, this new network was created under the
Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act. The alternative fuel corridors
designation will be used to promote electric, hydrogen, propane and natural gas
vehicles by encouraging development of fueling and charging stations along
these routes.
“Alternative
fuels and electric vehicles will play an integral part in the future of
Minnesota’s transportation,” said Charlie Zelle, Minnesota Department of
Transportation commissioner. “MnDOT is excited to be a part of helping drivers
identify routes that will help them refuel and recharge those vehicles.
Designating the I-94 Corridor is a great place to start the process.”
Working
in a partnership with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, MnDOT submitted an
application to designate I-94 as a ‘Zero Emissions Corridor,’ a type of
alternative fuel corridor, to promote electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
“Interstate
94 from Minneapolis to St. Cloud has been designated as ‘signage-ready’,” said
Tim Sexton, MnDOT’s Construction and Operations Section director. “The
designation means there is an existing network of public fast-charging stations
close enough to one another to reliably travel the corridor with today’s models
of electric vehicles. FHWA is developing final guidance on sign design and
placement, but they’re expected to look similar to existing signage that alert
drivers to gas stations, food and lodging.”
According
to Fran Crotty, electric vehicle state program administrator for the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency, “By supporting lower emission vehicles, alternative
fuel corridors will help reduce transportation emissions, the leading source of
U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.”
“Identifying
where alternative fueling stations can be found will help the public in many
ways,” Zelle said. “We can accelerate the use of innovative vehicles, improve
air quality and ensure that our transportation system meets the needs of the 21st
century drivers.”
For
a complete list of alternative fuel corridors, visit the FHWA website.
