The US Department of Transportation’s (US DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has released details about 55 routes that will serve as the basis for a national network of 'alternative fuel' corridors spanning 35 states.

Currently, the network is approximately 85,000 miles long and is expected that more miles will be added in the future to accommodate electric, hydrogen, propane and natural gas vehicles as additional fuelling and charging stations are built.

US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said: “Alternative fuels and electric vehicles will play an integral part in the future of America’s transportation system.

"We have a duty to help drivers identify routes that will help them refuel and recharge those vehicles and designating these corridors on our highways is a first step."

“We have a duty to help drivers identify routes that will help them refuel and recharge those vehicles and designating these corridors on our highways is a first step.”

Those corridors are designated as ‘sign-ready’, which means that routes that already operate alternative fuel stations will be eligible to feature new signs to help drivers find alternative fuels.

In July this year, Foxx called on states to nominate national plug-in electric vehicle (EV) charging and hydrogen, propane and natural gas fuelling corridors along major highways.

These signs are reported to be similar to existing signage, which alerts drivers about the gas stations, food, and lodging.

The designation of these corridors fulfils a directive in the ‘Fixing America’s Surface Transportation’ (FAST) Act.

The department further added that the new alternative fuel corridor signs were designed to be easily recognisable.

Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau said: “Identifying where alternative fuelling stations can be found will help the public in many ways.

“This initial designation sets the stage for the next round of nominations early next year and begins a conversation with stakeholders about developing and implementing a vision to enable coast to coast travel using alternative fuels.”