Pennsylvania’s early entry into the national program to add electrical vehicle charging stations is paying dividends despite the Trump administration’s efforts to change or eliminate the program.
Last week, the state became the first to receive federal approval to continue expanding its program under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program begun by former President Joe Biden. President Donald Trump initially froze funding for the program in his first days in office, then in August required all states to resubmit plans under new guidelines.
Pennsylvania, which is among the national leaders with 20 charging facilities opened under the program, announced last week it became the first state to receive what is called a “Full Build-Out Certification” from the federal Department of Transportation. That means the state has fulfilled the requirement to have stations built or committed to be built every 50 miles in the state’s busiest travel corridors, known as Alternative Fuel Corridors.
The certification also allows the state to move on with plans to install more stations in other areas across the state through a discretionary program called Corridor Connections funding.
“Thanks to our team’s diligent work in 2023 and 2024, and Gov. [Josh] Shapiro’s persistent efforts to secure congressionally appropriated funding, we’re in a position to continue making EVs more accessible for PA travelers,” Mike Carroll, secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation, said in a news release. “That quick action ensured Pennsylvania could adapt to national program changes while locking in investments for Pennsylvania.”
The application period for Corridor Connections funding begins Monday. The state said it expects to ask for about $20 million to fund 24 more charging stations in heavily traveled areas across the state with grants expected to be announced early next year.
Two other parts of the program are expected to have funding opportunities in the future to build stations in rural and economically challenged areas so motorists there have the ability to use electric vehicles.
The NEVI program was one of the key elements of Biden’s economic recovery and environmental programs. It authorized $5 billion in funds allocated to states initially plus another $2.5 billion in competitive discretionary funds with a goal of building 500,000 new charging stations across the country.
Biden also offered financial incentives for consumers to buy electric vehicles, which can be more expensive.
Biden saw benefits from expanding construction of electric vehicles by building more charging stations, providing construction jobs producing the stations and reducing pollution caused by vehicles using gasoline or diesel fuel.
Trump initially blocked funding because his administration favors less stringent environmental regulations and doesn’t believe consumers should be forced to buy more expensive electric vehicles. The administration also has eliminated many of the financial incentives to buy electric vehicles.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in August the administration still disagrees with environmental goals of the program, but it would allow it to continue under new guidelines with fewer restrictions.
When the program initially was approved by Congress, Pennsylvania was allocated $171.5 million for 150 charging stations over a five-year period ending in 2026. When the money was frozen, Pennsylvania had 90 projects under contract worth about $59 million.
It still isn’t clear whether the state will be able to spend the remaining $112 million it had been allocated.
Last week, the state opened its 20th new charging station at a Sheetz convenience store on Freeport Road near the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Harmar interchange.
Ed covers transportation at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at eblazina@unionprogress.com.