On Monday, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced details about the latest round of federal funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
The funding, from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding opportunity, will have multiple rounds, the department said. Round 1A will focus on closing the gaps along the Alternative Fuel Corridors for electric vehicle charging following Round 1 project selections. Across the country, 35 corridor groups are eligible for the Round 1A funding, including ones in Pennsylvania.
“After a successful funding round earlier this year, we’re looking forward to filling in the remaining gaps in our electric vehicle Alternative Fuel Corridors,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “With the dollars provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we can make our electric vehicle infrastructure more accessible to Pennsylvanians.”
PennDOT will host a virtual Round 1A information session from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 20, officials said, to discuss the funding opportunity and additional information for those pitching proposals to the department.
Part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), NEVI funding will provide the state with $171.5 million to use on EV charging infrastructure over the next five years. For the Round 1A funding, the state estimates about $22 million will be available for projects. The PA NEVI program is a reimbursement program and proposers are required to provide a minimum 20 percent match.
The funding will support projects that expand EV corridors along previously designated corridors Interstate lookalikes. Pennsylvania has more than 1,800 miles of roadway on the Alternative Fuel Corridor. Per guidance from the U.S. Department of Transportation, NEVI formula funds must be used on building out the AFC first, as well as meeting the U.S. DOT minimum standards and requirements.