First EV charger station built through NEVI opens

© Ohio DOT

The first EV fast charging station built as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program recently opened in Central Ohio.

The station is located at the London Pilot Travel Center along Interstate 70 at U.S. 42. Each charging stall can provide up to 350 kilowatts when charging a single vehicle and up to 175 kilowatts when charging multiple vehicles.

Depending on a vehicle’s battery, the power is enough to charge most EVs up to 80 percent in 20 to 40 minutes.

“This EV charging station is just the latest in a long line of transportation firsts in Ohio,” Jack Marchbanks, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) director, said. “We are ensuring our state has the infrastructure to handle not only the vehicles of today, but of tomorrow.”

EVgo installed the fast chargers. Pilot Travel Centers owns the station, which is part of a collaboration with General Motors.

Over the next several months, ODOT and Pilot Travel Centers will begin construction on nine more EV charging locations. A total of 25 stations are expected to be operational in Ohio by the end of 2024.

Ohio will receive $140 million in NEVI funds over five years.

The deadline for the next round of funding proposals is Jan. 25.