On February 10, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Pennsylvania will receive the first $25.3 million from an estimated $171.5 million over the next five years to invest in electric vehicle charging stations.

The funding is from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

PennDOT and DEP – following guidance issued from U.S. DOT – will collaborate with key stakeholders such as network companies, planning partners, and businesses on EV charging development.

The newly announced equity principles will help the department evaluate EV proposals in accordance with the federal guidance and fall into five categories:

-- Make EVs more affordable;

-- Make EV charging more accessible;

-- Invest in fleet electrification;

-- Invest in traditionally underserved, low-income, persons of color and otherwise vulnerable population areas; and

-- Increase EV awareness, education, and technical capacity.

There are more than 23,000 EVs registered in Pennsylvania, more than double the roughly 9,700 that were registered in March 2019.  Click Here for the 2021 update to DEP Roadmap To Increasing Electric Vehicle Use in PA.

For more information, visit PennDOT’s Alternative Fuel Corridors and DEP’s Electric Vehicles in PA webpages.

State Application Process

A total of $5 billion was released by DOT nationwide as part of $7.5 authorized for EV charging infrastructure. The additional $2.5 billion will be in the form of two competitive grants for which entities can apply:

-- The $1.25 billion Corridor Charging Grant Program will deploy EV charging infrastructure, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling infrastructure along Alternative Fuel Corridors.

-- The $1.25 billion Community Charging Grant Program will deploy EV charging infrastructure, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling infrastructure to communities.

The funding announced this week was distributed to states on a formulaic basis and can be used to create EV charging station networks along Alternative Fuel Corridors.

States will have until August 1 to submit plans for how they will use the funding, with the Federal Highway Administration and Joint Office of Energy and Transportation planning to approve state plans by September 30.

Reaction

“Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure package is already on its way to help Pennsylvania ramp up clean electric cars, cut harmful pollution and create jobs in the process,” said Mandy Warner, Pennsylvania State Director for Environmental Defense Fund.

“This funding could not be timelier, seeing as how the transportation sector is responsible for nearly a quarter of all greenhouse gas pollution in Pennsylvania, with the majority of those emissions coming from gas-fueled cars and trucks.

“It’s a critical piece of the equation of 100 percent electrification of the transportation economy. The buildout of an EV infrastructure is essential to achieving that goal as it will make adoption of EV cars and trucks significantly easier.

“Electric vehicles are critical to reducing climate- and public health-harming carbon pollution, and Pennsylvania is well-positioned to get to work now to help clear the way for a clean, EV-powered economy in the state.

“Congress and the President are smartly investing in our economy by passing clean energy investments that will power millions of electric trucks, buses and cars built in the U.S.

“We thank President Biden for quickly moving these funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support Pennsylvania citizens and communities.”

The move to EVs is quickly gaining momentum in the Keystone state.

Resource Links:

-- U.S. DOT: PA To Receive First $25.3 Million For Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Under Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

-- Click Here to read DOT’s published Program Guidance.

-- Click Here to read DOT’s Request for Nominations for states to expand their existing Alternative Fuel Corridors.

-- Click Here for a breakdown of funding each state is eligible for in FY22 and throughout the five-year life of the program.

NewsClips:

-- PG - Laura Legere: $25.3 Million Flow To PA To Build Electric Vehicle Charging Network On Interstates

-- WESA: Federal Funds To Boost PA’s Supply Of Highway Charging Stations For Electric Vehicles

-- Sen. Casey: PA To Receive $25 Million To Expand Access To Electric Vehicle Charging From Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

-- AP: States Get Go-Ahead To Build Electric Car Charging Stations

-- NYT: Why This Year Could Be A Tipping Point For Electric Cars

-- ReadingE: Expect Even Higher Gasoline Prices By Summer, Most Analysts Say [International Energy Markets Are Controlling The Price You Pay]

Related Articles:

-- DEP Unveils Plan To Increase Electric Vehicle Use In Pennsylvania  [2021 Update]

-- Proposed DEP Regulation Would Require 22% Of Passenger, Light Duty Vehicle Fleet Offered For Sale In PA Be Zero Emission Vehicles Starting In 2025

-- Pennsylvania Lawmakers Explore Latest EVs During Ride-and-Drive At State Capitol Event, Including Mack Trucks

-- Senate Committee OKs Bill To Encourage Development Of Clean Vehicle Infrastructure- Electric, Natural Gas, Hydrogen

-- Sen. Yaw: ‘If We’re Promoting Electric Vehicles, Then You’re Promoting Mining By Children,’ We Should Look At Big The Picture

[Posted: February 10, 2022]

2/14/2022