by Massachusetts received $64 million for charging stations, but not one has been installed
Almost four years ago, the state of Massachusetts received $64 million from the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program under the Biden administration. This is part of a massive nationwide initiative worth $5 billion, aimed at creating thousands of new charging stations across the country. It is now mid-2026, but the state has yet to spend a single cent on any working charging device.
Slow progress and lack of transparency
Two years ago, the state selected three contractors to identify potential sites for new stations. Only two of them, Applegreen and Global Partners, signed contracts. Both companies, along with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), maintain a notable silence regarding what has happened since.
According to the Commonwealth Beacon publication, Applegreen and Global Partners have already spent about $4 million on engineering work, permits, and procurement. Signs of progress have finally emerged, but MassDOT does not explain why everything is moving so slowly.
According to MassDOT spokesperson Marshall Hook, Applegreen recently ordered equipment for charging stations in the cities of Greenfield and Newburyport, with construction expected to begin in July. Global Partners, in turn, has ordered equipment for stations in Lancaster, Raynham, and Rentham.
Criticism of implementation pace
“The slowness of implementation here is baffling,” said former state transportation secretary Jim Aloisi. “If your approach to decarbonizing the transportation sector is largely based on switching to electric vehicles, then you must make significant efforts to accelerate this process. One way is through the deployment of the NEVI initiative. This is where the gap arises.”
Situation in other states
Massachusetts is far from the only state lagging behind in deploying these federally funded charging devices. A website tracking the NEVI program shows that many states have received tens of millions of dollars without building a single station. These include Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, North Dakota, Oregon, Alabama, Arizona, and, surprisingly, even California.
On the other hand, some states have utilized these funds effectively. Texas, for example, already has several NEVI-funded charging stations in operation, with many more at various stages of construction.
Although the NEVI program was launched to stimulate the development of electric vehicle infrastructure, reality has proven more complex. Delays in Massachusetts and other states point to bureaucratic hurdles, issues with permitting approvals, and possibly insufficient coordination between government agencies and private contractors. At the same time, Texas’s successful experience shows that, with the right approach, these funds can be used effectively. This underscores the need to review administrative procedures and strengthen project oversight to avoid further stalling of the transition to electric transportation on a national scale.
