Vermont receives federal designation for alternative fuel corridors 

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) has received federal designation of three highways as alternative fuel corridors, which will further solidify and support Vermont’s efforts to decarbonize its transportation system and accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption.

Earlier this month, the Federal Highway Administration named these Vermont corridor-ready designations:

• U.S. 2 between Danville and Montpelier
• U.S. 7 between Bennington and the US-7/I-189 interchange in South Burlington
• VT 9 from New Hampshire to New York state
• The FHWA also listed two highways in Vermont as corridor-pending designations:
• U.S. 2 between Danville and New Hampshire
• U.S. 7 between Bennington and Massachusetts

“This federal designation helps Vermont to promote our commitment to sustainable energy and technological modernization,” said Governor Phil Scott.

Vermont currently leads the nation in per capita electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) deployment and ranks among the top states in EV market penetration and EV policy support. Federal designation of Vermont’s EV corridors will help Vermont organize its continuing work on EVSE deployment, assist Vermont and surrounding states and provinces with regional collaboration on vehicle electrification and travel and tourism, and help Vermont promote its commitment to sustainable energy and technological modernization.

“Federal designation of these highways supports Vermont’s continuing work on electric-vehicle charging infrastructure and will assist Vermont and surrounding states and provinces with regional collaboration on vehicle electrification for travel and tourism,” said Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn.

Vermont has been pursuing a multi-pronged strategy in charging infrastructure funding, aiming to ensure convenient fast charging along highway corridors while also seeking to ensure that all locations in the state are within about 30 miles of a fast charger. The state is also funding Level 2 charging at a variety of locations, including tourist destinations, multi-unit dwellings, downtown areas, overnight lodging, and workplaces.

FHWA recently completed the fifth round of designations for the Alternative Fuel Corridors program. With the designation of these corridors, FHWA is continuing to establish a national network of alternative fueling and charging infrastructure along national highway system corridors. Vermont’s designated corridors provide direct connections to urban areas across Vermont and the greater Northeast region, including Albany, Boston, and Montreal.

FHWA previously designated Vermont’s entire interstate highway system as alternative-fuel vehicle corridors for EVs. These designations were primarily corridor-ready, with one segment of I-91 corridor pending. The continuing expansion of Vermont’s EV charging network through public funding and private enterprise will support additional FHWA corridor designations and help move corridor-pending segments to corridor-ready status.