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ht_t_pWwww.utilitydive.com/ November 4, 2016 <br />P <br />E Utility ,, <br />Dept. of Transportation unveils national <br />electric vehicle charging network <br />EV drivers can expect a charging station about every 50 miles on a new network <br />of interstate highways announced by the Department of Transportation. <br />-Moving to support the electrification of the transportation sector and to reduce <br />greenhouse gas emissions, the federal government this week announced 55 routes <br />that will serve as the basis for a national network of "alternative fuel" corridors <br />spanning 35 states. <br />-The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) <br />issued a request in July for states to nominate new fuel corridors. The network <br />announced Wednesday is almost 85,000 miles long. <br />-Corridors where alternative fuel stations are already in operation will be eligible for <br />new signs alerting drivers to refueling opportunities. The network will include fuel for <br />electric, hydrogen, propane and natural gas vehicles. <br />As the United States looks ahead to environmental and emissions <br />commitments, decarbonization of the transportation sector will play an <br />essential role. Transportation is the largest greenhouse gas emitter in the <br />country, outpacing the power sector for the first time this year. Because of <br />that, cleaner transportation will play a huge role in helping the U.S. meet <br />its pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% or more by 2050. One <br />way to clear a pathway for cleaner transportation is to set up corridors to <br />help construct EV charging stations, according to the White House. <br />"Alternative fuels and electric vehicles will play an integral part in the <br />future of America's transportation system," U.S. Transportation Secretary <br />Anthony Foxx said in a statement. "We have a duty to help drivers identify <br />routes that will help them refuel and recharge those vehicles and <br />designating these corridors on our highways is a first step." <br />According to new FHWA data, U.S. drivers consumed nearly 72 billion <br />gallons of gasoline in the first half of 2016 and drove more than 3 trillion <br />miles last year. <br />Signs that will designate alternative stations will be similar to existing <br />signage for gas stations, food, and lodging. But despite the expansive first <br />