Lehigh Times

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf recently announced the state will receive $25.4 million in federal funds to invest in electric vehicle infrastructure, which includes charging stations along the interstates.

According to a press release from Wolf on Sept. 14, Pennsylvania is one of the first states to be approved in what is the first round of funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funds are through the Pennsylvania National Electric Vehicle (NEVI) Plan, and nearly $171 million over five years will be awarded.

“Addressing the global threat of climate change is a top priority throughout my administration and it’s a priority that President Joe Biden and I share,” Wolf said. “Investing in EV infrastructure is a critical way to reduce greenhouse gases and make EV chargers accessible for more Pennsylvanians. I’m grateful that the Biden administration has committed a significant portion of the landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for clean transportation, and that Pennsylvania will receive this initial investment to support our state’s efforts.”  

The National Electric Vehicle Formula Program provides funding to states to deploy charging stations for EV around the country. The program also gathers data for efficiency purposes. The plan is to build Alternative Fuel Corridors along the interstates for better access for drivers. There are more than 31,000 EVs registered in Pennsylvania, which is an increase from the 9,700 EVs registered in 2019.

“PennDOT and our partners have been hard at work preparing for a future filled with electric vehicles,” Yassmin Gramian, secretary of the state Department of Transportation, said in the release. “These new funds available to us through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law give Pennsylvania the opportunity to reinvent transportation in a way that is smarter, cleaner, safer, more equitable and more efficient than ever before, and we are ready to put them to good use.”

The Wolf administration has worked toward setting up EV infrastructure in the past. This includes the Driving PA Forward initiative, which introduces rebates for chargers. In addition, the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant provides grants for alternative fuel infrastructure.

“Increasing access to electric vehicles and EV chargers is one of the best ways to cut down on air pollution and fight climate change,” Ramez Ziadeh, acting secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection, said in the release. “These investments into improving EV charger infrastructure will mean cleaner air for Pennsylvanians, and will pay dividends for years and generations to come.”