Boosting EV Charging Infrastructure: Shapiro Administration Announces Conditional Awards Along the PA Turnpike

Electric VehicleImage via Pixabay

PENNSYLVANIA — the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recently announced additional conditional awards for Round 1 of the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding. These awards further the Shapiro Administration’s work to address climate change, grow the Commonwealth’s economy and ensure that the future of Pennsylvania transportation is on track to be cleaner, safer, more affordable, and more reliable than ever before.

“Our work to continue investing these funds will not only help build out our electric vehicle charging network, but will create good-paying jobs across Pennsylvania,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll.

Seven projects in six counties were selected to expand access to, and the reliability of, electric vehicle charging within Pennsylvania. The nearly $3.9 million federal investment is part of the $171.5 million PennDOT will receive and distribute for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure over five years through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). View the full conditional award list, by county, on the department’s NEVI web page. Additional conditional awards are as follows:

Allegheny County:

  • Applegreen Electric PA LLC: $367,749 for a charging station at the PA Turnpike service plaza in Verona (Mile 49); and
  • EVgo Services LLC: $543,960 for a charging station at Penn Place Shopping Plaza in Monroeville (I-376, Exit 84 A-B).

Chester County:

  • Applegreen Electric PA LLC: $603,294 for a charging station at the PA Turnpike service plaza in West Brandywine (Mile 305).

Clearfield County:

  • Francis Energy PA, LLC: $747,247 for a charging station at the Kwik Fill in Kylertown (I-80, Exit 133).

Fulton County:

  • Applegreen Electric PA LLC: $736,870 for a charging station at the PA Turnpike service plaza in Waterfall (Mile 172).
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Lancaster County:

  • Applegreen Electric PA LLC: $498,805 for a charging station at the PA Turnpike service plaza in Bowmansville (Mile 290).

Westmoreland County:

  • Applegreen Electric PA LLC: $397,067 for a charging station at the PA Turnpike service plaza in Hunker (Mile 77).

“Working together, the Commonwealth — along with PennDOT, the PA Turnpike, and our other partners — can ensure that drivers who prefer EVs can travel anywhere in Pennsylvania without worrying about the next charging facility,” said PA Turnpike Chief Executive Officer Mark P. Compton. “Expanding availability of EV chargers will also boost interest in and sales of EVs, hastening Pennsylvania’s sustainability goals.”

PennDOT will be hosting six community engagement events around the state for community members to learn about EVs, funding options, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program and more. In addition, these conversations will allow community members to provide their input on where they would like to see EV charging infrastructure most in their community. The following events are currently scheduled:

Gettysburg: Oct. 16, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

  • Heritage Center, 297 Steinwehr Ave., Gettysburg.

Coatesville: Oct. 19, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

  • Graystone Mansion/Harcum College Coatesville, 53 S. First Ave., Coatesville.

Williamsport: Oct. 23. 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

  • Michael Ross Event Center, 144 W. Third St., Williamsport.

Erie: Nov. 1, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

  • H.O. Hirt Auditorium at Blasco Library, 160 E. Front St., Erie.

Reading: Nov. 2, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

  • Goggleworks, 201 Washington St., Reading.

Pittsburgh: Nov. 8, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

  • Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), 42 21st St., Pittsburgh.
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To register for a community engagement event, visit this link.

The NEVI funding supports the Commonwealth and federal goal of expanding EV charging along the previously designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) (see a list of AFCs here) and Interstate lookalikes. Pennsylvania has over 1,800 miles of AFCs. Per guidance from U.S. DOT, NEVI formula funds must 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 PA NEVI program includes multiple rounds of funding. During Round 1 selection, the focus was on building out the AFC network along the interstates to meet the NEVI requirements. Once AFCs are fully built out, PennDOT will shift to expanding the NEVI Formula Program funding to fund right-sized EV chargers for Pennsylvania’s community charging.

While Round 1 NEVI projects progress, PennDOT continues meeting federal deadlines for additional funding rounds and working toward closing all AFC gaps while expanding community charging access.  Round 1 and 1a will focus exclusively on the AFC network. The department anticipates opening Round 1a later this fall with approximately $22 million available. Later this month, PennDOT will release a map showing current gaps along the AFC network to help applicants prepare for Round 1a.

For more information on NEVI funds in Pennsylvania visit the PennDOT website.

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