Arizona opens its first three NEVI-funded fast-charging stations, puts 49 more sites out to bid

Arizona's first three fast-charging stations built under the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program are open, the Arizona Department of Transportation announced on October 14. They are in Tucson on I-10, Green Valley on I-19 and Wellton on I-8. In the same release, ADOT said it had opened bidding on 49 more stations, backed by an estimated $49 million in federal funding.

ADOT is administering $76.5 million in NEVI funds for up to 79 stations, and calls the three open sites "the first of about 80 statewide locations planned."

The three open stations

Two of the three are Tesla Superchargers, Electrek reported, and the third is run by Francis:

Site	Highway	Host location	Operator	Power
Tucson	I-10 near Kino Parkway	Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q, 2130 E. Ajo Way	Tesla Supercharger	325 kW
Green Valley	I-19	Verde Valley Center, 119 E. Duval Mine Road	Francis	400 kW
Wellton	I-8 near Avenue 29 E.	Chevron, 28864 Commerce Way	Tesla Supercharger	325 kW

The Wellton station sits in eastern Yuma County, KAWC reported when it opened.

For the program as a whole, ADOT says the stations will be privately owned and operated. Most locations will have at least four 150-kilowatt DC fast chargers, and most will offer both NACS (SAE J3400) and CCS plugs. Stations will generally be no more than 90 miles apart and within three miles of a highway, and are intended to charge a typical EV in 30 minutes or less. "Most of the stations will be at places like gas stations where people are already stopping for other needs," ADOT spokesperson Garin Groff told KJZZ.

Federal funds cover up to 80% of eligible project costs and the private developer pays at least 20%. "No state funds will be used in the construction of these stations," the release says.

What is planned, in progress and out for bid

Planned to open later in 2026: two stations on I-40, in Seligman and Holbrook.
Under construction or in design: 11 other projects.
Contracts expected by late 2026: 14 more projects.
Out for bid: 49 stations, including 31 new locations and 18 from the first and second phases that were not previously awarded, spread along I-10, I-40 and I-40B and a range of U.S. and state routes.

ADOT describes the current bids as the network's third phase. The first round covered 16 stations along I-10, I-8, I-40, I-17 and I-19; the second covered 14 along I-10, U.S. routes 60, 89, 93 and 160, and state routes 95 and 260. "Proposals on the 49 charging stations out for bid are due by 2 p.m., Jan. 15, 2027," the release says, 87 days from October 20. "Construction is expected to begin in 2028 and take about one year."

How the program got here

Arizona began taking bids for its first DC fast-charging round in January 2024, awarded the first projects in August 2024 and initially expected some sites to open by late 2025. Construction began in early 2026. In between, in February 2025, the Trump administration suspended states' approved NEVI plans and blocked new funding commitments while it rewrote the program's guidance; reimbursements under existing agreements continued. Electrek, citing court records, reports that Arizona cancelled a solicitation for 35 prospective charging locations after losing access to about $48.1 million in uncommitted funds. Arizona joined the states that challenged the freeze, and a federal judge granted preliminary relief in June 2025, then ruled in January 2026 that the funding had been unlawfully withheld.

Arizona joins a national program that is still small. As of August 17, 2026, NEVI had 226 stations and 1,170 ports open across 22 states, the analytics firm Paren counted.

What It Means for Drivers

Three new fast-charging stops on southern Arizona interstates. I-10 in Tucson, I-19 at Green Valley and I-8 at Wellton each have a newly opened NEVI station.
Two are Superchargers. Non-Tesla drivers heading to the Tucson or Wellton sites should confirm their vehicle's access and connector before relying on them; ADOT's commitment to both NACS and CCS plugs covers most stations, not every one, and KJZZ notes the plugs fit most, but not all, EVs.
Green Valley is the one non-Tesla site, operated by Francis and listed by Electrek at 400 kW.
I-40 is still waiting. Seligman and Holbrook are the next scheduled openings, later in 2026; the 49 stations now out for bid are not expected to start construction until 2028.