Pennsylvania announced it had received more than $33.8 million in federal funding for electric vehicle charging.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) joined Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carrol, Federal Highway Administration Deputy Administrator Andrew Rogers and representatives from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) to announce the first round of federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding for the state on Tuesday. The awards, officials said, will help fund 54 projects in 35 counties to expand access to electric charging within the state.
“Our team worked diligently to meet federal NEVI requirements while also spreading opportunities among various companies and communities,” Carroll said. “Because of Governor Shapiro’s leadership and record of delivering for Pennsylvanians, we are among the first states distributing these funds that will provide travelers with options and confidence while also benefitting our environment. 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 $33.8 million in federal investment is part of the larger $171.5 million PennDOT will receive for EV charging infrastructure over the next five years, officials said. The awards will fund four federally compliant charging ports at each charging location, for a total of 216 charging ports. Officials said 22 of the projects are in or within a half mile of state or federally designated disadvantaged communities.
“Thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we can strengthen and expand our electric vehicle charging infrastructure,” Casey said. “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.”
The Pennsylvania NEVI program is a reimbursement program and applicants are required to provide a minimum of 20 percent match. PennDOT received more than 270 unique funding submissions requesting $165.4 million for this round of investments.