Under a collaborative partnership called "Charging Up Delaware," the University of Delaware and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) have added 11 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at five locations throughout the state.

Delaware now has 21 locations that host EV charging stations, according to a release from the university.

The new charging stations are located, from north to south, at I-95 Welcome Center, Smyrna Rest Area, Bridgeville Royal Farms, Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal, and Surfside Park – Rehoboth Beach.

The researchers anticipate having a one-year data usage report of the stations in the network by mid-2016, the release added. The data will provide information about the overall usage of the networks and the stations.

Funding for the charging station expansion came from Delaware’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a market-based cap-and-trade program that aims to reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity generation sector.

The program builds on Delaware's Clean Transportation Incentive Program (CTIP), which offers rebates on the purchase or lease of new or retrofitted battery or plug-in hybrid EVs, as well as dedicated propane and natural gas-powered vehicles, according to DNREC Secretary David Small.