Recently we celebrated National Drive Electric Week, a perfect time to spotlight the EV infrastructure progress that has been made across the country, with support from National Electric Highway Coalition (NEHC) members and funding allocated from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Federal funding has accelerated the installation and deployment of public EV fast chargers. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, provides funding to states along Alternative Fuel Corridors to strategically deploy EV charging stations and to establish an interconnected network to facilitate data collection, access, and reliability.
Phase 1 of the program focuses on EV corridor buildout. Once completed, states may begin administering funds for Phase 2, which expands the focus to community charging and other highway corridors. In total, $5 billion is available through the NEVI Program and more than $450 million has been awarded by states so far.
Nine states have opened their first NEVI-funded charging sites, and each has been energized by an EEI member company that is a part of the NEHC. The locations include:
- Hawaii: Hawaiian Electric Company
- Kentucky: LG&E and KU
- Maine: Central Maine Power (Avangrid)
- New York: Central Hudson Gas & Electric
- Ohio: Ohio Edison (FirstEnergy)
- Pennsylvania: PPL Electric Utilities (PPL Corporation)
- Rhode Island: Rhode Island Energy (PPL Corporation)
- Utah: Rocky Mountain Power
- Vermont: Green Mountain Power
NEHC Member Companies Efforts to Support EV Infrastructure and the NEVI Program
PPL Electric Utilities (PPL Corporation) was involved in the NEVI planning process since the early phases, participating in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s initial NEVI informational sessions. During these sessions, PPL Electric helped to identify optimal locations for new EV chargers.
Currently, there are 26 NEVI projects planned across PPL Electric’s service territory, mostly sited along the interstate highway system.
“We are pleased to see the continued advancement of the NEVI Program, which will help accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, aid in the build-out of necessary charging infrastructure, and advance a cleaner energy future across the state,” said PPL Electric President Christine Martin.
“PPL Electric Utilities sees our role in expanding EV infrastructure as critical to its progress. And, we have been active participants throughout the NEVI planning process, from the early planning phases to the first active station in Pittston, Pa., and now to the 26 active projects across our service territory.”
Central Hudson worked with Electrify America to facilitate the installation of a new transformer and to energize service to complete the project in New York. This helped ensure the infrastructure in the area of the NEVI-funded charging station was well-positioned to accommodate the additional demand for electricity. The company also expressed its dedication to continue supporting EV charging infrastructure.
“Central Hudson is deeply committed to working with developers as we expand the network of EV charging stations in our service area,” said Central Hudson Vice President of Electric Engineering and Operations Ryan Hawthorne. “Programs like Electrify America and Central Hudson’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Make Ready Program are key components to making emission reductions through electrified transportation a reality.”
In Utah, Rocky Mountain Power inaugurated one of the first U.S. EV charging stations near a national park, which was funded partially through the NEVI Program. This station features eight state-of-the-art DC fast charging ports, including a convenient pull-through stall designed to accommodate trucks and trailers.
“This effort not only enhances accessibility for the local community but also for the approximately 2-million annual visitors to Arches National Park,” said Rocky Mountain Power Director of Innovation and Sustainable Policy James Campbell. “By expanding the national network of fast chargers, accessible to all vehicles, we are catalyzing widespread EV adoption across the country.”
NEVI Progress
About 700 charging station locations, totaling at least 2,800 DC fast charging ports, have been funded so far through the NEVI Program, according to the U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. In addition:
- Thirty-two states have made at least one round of awards.
- Kentucky and Pennsylvania have made three rounds of awards.
- Pennsylvania has awarded the most sites at 92.
- Rhode Island has been certified for fully building out their corridor system after making two awards that are now energized. The state now will move to Phase 2, which focuses on community charging and other highway corridors.
