State announces funding for EV charging stations

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recently announced program details for “Round 1B” of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding opportunity. The proposal period will open on May 13 and close on July 10 at 5 p.m.

“We’re making electric vehicle infrastructure more accessible to Pennsylvanians,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “With federal dollars provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Pennsylvania is continuing its progress to build out the EV charger network along the state’s alternative fuel corridors.”

As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), PennDOT will receive and distribute $171.5 million in federal funds for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure over five years. For the Round 1B funding, PennDOT estimates approximately $12 million in funds will be available for projects in key areas around the state. The Pennsylvania NEVI program is a reimbursement program, and proposers are required to provide a minimum 20% match.

The Pennsylvania NEVI program includes multiple rounds of funding. Round 1B will focus on closing the last remaining gaps along the state’s Alternative Fuel Corridors for EV charging following Round 1 and 1A project selections. Fourteen corridor groups are eligible for funding in Round 1B.

The Funding Opportunity and additional materials for proposers’ reference and use are available on PennDOT’s Apply for NEVI Funds web page.

Funds for the Pennsylvania NEVI program will be awarded on a competitive basis to plan, design, construct, operate and maintain EV charging infrastructure across Pennsylvania. The NEVI funding supports the commonwealth and federal goal of expanding EV charging along the previously designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) and interstate lookalikes. Pennsylvania has over 1,800 miles of AFCs. Per the guidance from the U.S. DOT, NEVI funds must first be used to “build out” designated AFCs (no more than 50 miles between stations and less than 1 mile from an exit) and meet U.S. DOT minimum standards and requirements.

Technical questions about the Funding Opportunity may be submitted by May 6 to RA-PDEVCorridors@pa.gov. Technical questions and answers will be posted online.

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