Distributed Energy Resources, GHG Emissions  -  August 19, 2024

Pennsylvania DOT Invests in EV Charging

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced $7.1 million in investments for Round 1B of National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding. Ten projects in nine counties across the state were chosen to fill in the final gaps along Pennsylvania's Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFC) following NEVI Round 1 and Round 1A. 

Charging stations will expand access to and the reliability of electric vehicle (EV) charging within Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has over 1,800 miles of AFCs, and NEVI guidelines require funds first be used to "build out" designated AFCs (meaning there must be no more than 50 miles between stations and less than 1 mile from an AFC exit) and meet U.S. DOT minimum standards and requirements.

The $7.1 million federal investment is part of the $171.5 million PennDOT will receive and distribute for EV charging infrastructure over five years through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Along with previously announced awards, Pennsylvania committed NEVI funding to 91 projects across 43 counties. The Round 1B Funding Opportunity was designed to fill the final gaps in the AFCs that remained following Round 1 and Round 1A awards preparing the state to seek “fully built out" certification and begin the community investment phase.

The NEVI funds support the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of charging sites. The PA NEVI program is a reimbursement program, and recipients are required to provide a minimum 20% match. PennDOT received 39 unique funding submissions requesting over $27 million for this round of investments.

“With every investment in EV infrastructure, we make clean transportation options more accessible for Pennsylvanians," said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll in a statement. "These awards will help move us to the next phase of EV rollout."