The selections are part of the first round of conditional awards for federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding.
The $33.8 million federal investment is part of the $171.5 million PennDOT will receive and distribute for electric vehicle charging infrastructure over five years through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as announced Monday in a joint release by PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and Federal Highway Administration Deputy Administrator Andrew Rogers.
"Our team worked diligently to meet federal NEVI requirements while also spreading opportunities among various companies and communities," Carroll said. "... 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 conditional awards include various recipients — seven of which are headquartered in Pennsylvania — and site locations across the state.
In Schuylkill County, Raceway Management Co. Inc. was awarded $899,595 for a charging station at the Onvo Travel Plaza in Cass Twp. in the Highridge Business Park near Exit 119 of Interstate 81. The plaza is under construction.
Four federally compliant charging ports will be funded at each charging location, with 216 total funded charging ports. The conditional award list is available at PennDOT's NEVI web page.
"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."
Moving forward, a National Environmental Policy Act public involvement process will begin for each project. Projects can begin after those processes are successfully completed and agreements with each recipient are executed. Some projects may begin as early as late 2023.
"In Pennsylvania and across the country, President Biden's Investing in America agenda is building the backbone of our national network of EV charging stations that will ensure a seamless experience for drivers when they're charging up — similar payment systems, clear pricing information, interoperable connector types, and reliable charging speeds as we make the historic transition to electric vehicles," Rogers said in the release.
The NEVI funding supports the commonwealth and federal goal of expanding EV charging along the previously designated Alternative Fuel Corridors and Interstate lookalikes. Pennsylvania has over 1,800 miles of AFCs.
Per the 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.
" Northeast Pennsylvania is leading the way by taking full advantage of the bipartisan infrastructure law and the resources it affords," said U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-8, Moosic. "With today's announcement, we're taking another big step forward in building out our electric vehicle charging network, modernizing our infrastructure, and creating good-paying jobs."
Projects were evaluated on a competitive basis following federal requirements and other factors:
- Choosing a variety of recipients not only statewide but also along individual AFCs.
- Projects that provided a variety of amenities and services to improve customer experience (such as varied payment options).
- Positive local economic development and workforce opportunities.
- Locations that are welcoming, safe and accessible for all.
The PA NEVI program is a reimbursement program and applicants are required to provide a minimum 20% match. PennDOT received 271 unique funding submissions requesting $165.4 million for this round of investments.
For more information on NEVI funds in Pennsylvania visit www.penndot.pa.gov. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.
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