Kentucky breaks ground on EV charging stations

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A ground-breaking ceremony recently was held in Richmond, Ky., for the state’s first electric vehicle (EV) fast charging station built with federal funds from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program.

The location one of two sites Circle K will own and operate. Circle K was awarded $536,600 toward the $670,750 project. The company also will install an EV fast charging station in Berea.

The Richmond location will have standard Combined Charging System 1 connectors installed first with North American Charging Standard connectors added later this year. There will be four ABB E-mobility 180 kilowatt fast chargers that can recharge a typical EV in under 20 minutes.

Kentucky will receive nearly $70 million from the federal NEVI Program. Developers must fund at least 20 percent of the construction and operational costs for the first five years, and stations must be open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The state has selected seven developers to install chargers at 24 sites, most on Alternative Fuel Corridors, and awarded $15.4 million.

A second request for proposals will fund up to 16 more charging stations. The state seeks bids from private developers to design, build, own, operate and maintain fast charging stations for five years after construction completes.