Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Senator Bob Casey, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright and other federal officials announced the completion of Pennsylvania’s first federally-funded electric vehicle charging station.
The station – which opened to the public on Dec. 21, 2023 and has since provided over 200 charging sessions – was built as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, funded by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and administered by PennDOT.
This milestone helps to further the Shapiro Administration’s work to address climate change, grow the Commonwealth’s economy and ensure that Pennsylvania is ready for the next generation of transportation, one that will be cleaner, safer, more affordable, and more reliable than ever before. Pennsylvania is one of the first states in the country to reach this milestone.
“The Shapiro Administration is quickly making these federal investments work for Pennsylvanians and I’m proud that we remain among the nation’s leaders in expanding EV charging options,” Carroll said. “In partnership with the companies electrifying these sites, we are creating healthier communities by reducing our carbon footprint and supporting clean-energy jobs.”
The charging station was installed at the Pilot travel center at 417 Route 315 in Pittston, as part of Pilot Travel Center LLC’s collaboration with General Motors. The cost of construction is supported by $610,393 in NEVI funds. Pilot Travel Centers LLC will own the charging station, working with EVgo to deploy the chargers as part of its eXtend service.
The site gives EV drivers access to four charging ports capable of providing up to 350 kW of power. While charging, customers will have 24/7 access to restrooms, Wi-Fi, food, beverages, and other convenience items for purchase.This location is one of 56 projects in 37 counties which were selected to expand access to and reliability of EV charging in Pennsylvania. The projects that were conditionally awarded funding in Pennsylvania’s first round will receive a total $34.8 million. The investment is part of the $171.5 million PennDOT will receive and distribute for EV charging infrastructure over five years through the BIL.
The NEVI funding supports the Commonwealth and federal goal of expanding EV charging along the previously designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. Pennsylvania has over 1,800 miles of AFCs. Per guidance from U.S. DOT, NEVI formula funds must first be used to “build out” designated AFCs (meaning there must be no more than 50 miles between stations and less than 1 mile from an AFC exit) and meet U.S. DOT minimum standards and requirements.
The PA NEVI program includes multiple rounds of funding. During Round 1 selection, the focus was on building out the AFC network along the interstates to meet the NEVI requirements. Once AFCs are fully built out, PennDOT will shift to expanding the footprint EV chargers for Pennsylvania’s community charging infrastructure.
PennDOT opened the proposal period for Round 1A of NEVI funding in December, with the period closing on Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. EST. Thirty-five corridor-groups are eligible for funding in Round 1A and approximately $22 million will be available for this round, which will help fill the remaining gaps along the AFC network. A map of priority locations for Round 1A is available on PennDOT’s website.
