Adaptive Evolution of NEVI Implementation Across the East North Central States: A Comparative Longitudinal Analysis

This study examines the evolution of National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) implementation across the East North Central states—Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin—between 2022 and 2026 under a shared federal policy framework. The analysis is based on official federal and state documents published through 2025, with 2026 representing planned implementation targets described in the most recent state NEVI annual updates. A qualitative comparative longitudinal research design was employed using NEVI plans, annual implementation updates, Federal Highway Administration guidance, state Department of Transportation reports, and publicly available infrastructure data. Thematic analysis supported by NVivo 14 software (Lumivero, Denver, CO, USA) identified six dimensions of implementation evolution: governance, infrastructure deployment, transportation connectivity, freight mobility, operational sustainability, and institutional adaptation. The findings indicate that all states progressed beyond initial corridor deployment toward more adaptive and coordinated implementation approaches, although their priorities differed. Michigan and Ohio placed greater emphasis on freight mobility and interstate connectivity, Illinois strengthened institutional coordination and network expansion, Indiana focused on operational reliability and phased deployment, and Wisconsin prioritized rural accessibility and statewide coverage. This study provides a comparative longitudinal understanding of how shared federal objectives evolved into regionally distinct implementation pathways, offering insights for future EV infrastructure planning and policy implementation.