Millions of federal dollars slated for 54 EV charging projects across Pennsylvania

By: Marley Parish - August 14, 2023 1:04 pm

Electric vehicles sales are expected to surge over the next 10 years and legislators around the country are debating who should build the electric charging stations that will be needed — electric utilities or private businesses? The 10-port charging station at JFK airport in New York is part of a joint initiative by the New York Power Authority and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

An EV charges at the 10-port charging station at JFK airport in New York, part of a joint initiative by the New York Power Authority and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

With millions of dollars slated for Pennsylvania to expand access to electric vehicle charging, officials announced a series of projects receiving the first round of $171.5 million federal grant funding.

Federal and state officials on Monday named 54 projects in 35 counties selected for $33.8 million in conditional awards for the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, which aims to bolster electric vehicle infrastructure over the next five years through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“Our team worked diligently to meet federal NEVI requirements while also spreading opportunities among various companies and communities,” Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll said, adding that Pennsylvania is among the first states to distribute the funding. “These new investments will create good paying jobs and allow Pennsylvanian residents, businesses, and visitors to travel across the commonwealth faster, cleaner, and more reliably.”

The NEVI funds planning, construction, operating, and maintaining EV charging sites. The Pennsylvania NEVI is a reimbursement program that requires at least a 20% match from applicants. PennDOT received 271 funding submissions, requesting $165.4 million for this round of funding.

Recipients include dozens of travel plazas and gas stations across Pennsylvania. PennDOT said 22 projects are in or within half a mile of state or federally-designated disadvantaged communities.

“This funding will allow us to deploy electric vehicle charging stations across our commonwealth — from cities to suburbs to rural areas — promoting energy security, creating jobs, and reducing our carbon footprint,” U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., said.

Following a public input process, work on some of the projects could begin as early as late 2023.

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