Alternative Fuel Corridors

Through the Federal Highway Administration’s Alternative Fuel Corridor Program, every interstate in Texas, and several other key highways, have been designated as alternative fuel corridors. Corridor designation means that a driver could travel that roadway in the designated alternative fuel vehicle and be confident that refueling facilities for that fuel are available (e.g., electric charging stations are available on electric corridors). Designated alternative fuels include electricity, hydrogen, compressed natural gas, liquified natural gas, and propane (LPG). NCTCOG/Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities (DFWCC) has been deeply engaged in expanding alternative fuel usage in Texas.

NCTCOG/DFWCC initiatives involving alternative fuel corridors since 2016 include:

Current/Ongoing:  


Past/Recent:

  • IH 45 Corridor Zero Emission Vehicle Plan (published August 2022): Staff developed this plan recommending placement of electric charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure along Interstate 45 with heavy stakeholder input. The plan has a focus on enabling medium- and heavy-duty zero-emissions vehicles, especially in the freight sector. 
  • South Central Alternative Fuel Corridor Convening: DFWCC co-hosted this workshop-style event that allowed for coordination and discussion among stakeholders in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. This event was sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration.   
  • Comments on the Proposal Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices: NCTCOG provided recommendations for standardized corridor identification, general service, and specific service signs across all alternative fuel corridors. 
  • Corridor Nominations: NCTCOG/DFWCC has made recommendations for corridor designation since the initial nomination cycle in 2016. In the first nomination round, NCTCOG/DFWCC submitted the most extensive nomination packet from the State of Texas, nominating a network of interstates that encompassed the entire state. Since then, TxDOT has had primary responsibility for submittals, and staff has provided input for TxDOT consideration. For the full list of designated highways, visit this Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) website and scroll down to Texas.


Background & Current Highway Designations 

The U.S. Department of Transportation, under Title 23 U.S. Code Section 151, is required to designate national corridors for EV charging and hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling. This program, known as the Alternative Fuel Corridors Program, is led by the FHWA which works with other federal, state, and local officials (such as NCTCOG and DFWCC) and private industry to help plan and promote National Highway System corridors. This program was first established under the FAST Act and expanded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), which provides further guidance and funding for alternative fuel corridors, particularly for electric vehicles.  

One of two designations is used for each nominated highway segment: corridor-ready and corridor-pending. Corridor-ready is reserved for sections of highway that meet all corridor standards, while corridor-pending is for sections that have some infrastructure and meet some standards. Criteria for corridor-ready and corridor-pending National Highway System segments for each alternative fuel type can be found in the 2023 Request for Nominations on the FHWA Alternative Fuel Corridors page. After TxDOT submits corridor nominations, FHWA reviews the nomination materials and issues designations. FHWA has completed six rounds of Alternative Fuels Corridor Designations from 2016-2022. The round 7 Request for Nominations closed June 21, 2023, and nominations were announced October 10, 2023. In this round, FHWA also accepted nominations for Freight Electric Vehicle Corridor designations using the National Highway Freight Network as a preliminary designation framework. For more information, visit the 2023 Request for Nominations.

Texas Designations:  

  • 21 Interstate Highways 
  • 2 U.S. Highways  
  • 1 State Highway 


National Designations: 

  • 125+ nominations from state and local officials  
  • Segments or entire lengths of 138 interstate corridors and 181 U.S. highways and state roads  
  • All 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico designated as corridor-ready or corridor-pending for one or more alternative fuel types 


Further Resources 

  • Alternative Fuel Toolkit - can be used to learn about alternative fuels and infrastructure, plan infrastructure funding, and act using alternative fuel vehicle guides and information provided by the FHWA.  
  • Alternative Fueling Station Locator - provides data on alternative fuel stations in the United States and Canada. This tool has many functionalities and can help drivers plan a trip based on available fueling infrastructure. It can also help communities plan for additional alternative fuel infrastructure.  
  • Alternative Fuels Data Center - contains extensive information about alternative fuels, alternative fuel vehicles, and laws and incentives as well as maps, data, and publications on numerous alternative fuel subjects. 
  • TxDOT Alternative Fuel Station Signage Policy - outlines the current guidance on posting signage for alternative fuel stations in Texas. 
  • DFW Clean Cities Initiatives page - learn about other ongoing projects.