PennDOT Opens $32M EV Charger Funding for Eastern PA
Eastern Pennsylvania communities can apply for federal EV charger grants through March 2027. The state has already opened 50 NEVI stations.
Key points
- PennDOT allocated $32 million in federal funds for EV chargers in Eastern Pennsylvania counties.
- The state has opened 50 NEVI stations, the highest number of any U.S. state.
- Applications for the Community Charging funding round are due by March 12, 2027.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has released $32 million in federal funds specifically for building public electric vehicle chargers in the state’s eastern region. This allocation is part of the Community Charging phase of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, aiming to expand charging access beyond major highways into local communities.
As reported by Times Leader, this move brings the total federal investment in Pennsylvania’s public charging infrastructure to over $100 million. Applications for this specific regional funding round are open until March 12, 2027, allowing local organizations and businesses to propose sites for new stations.
Eastern counties eligible for grants
The funding is targeted at a broad group of counties in the eastern part of the state, including Adams, Berks, Carbon, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, and Lancaster. While local transportation agencies have identified priority areas, any publicly accessible location within these counties is eligible to apply. This broad eligibility ensures that rural and suburban areas, not just urban centers, can compete for the money.
The goal is to address the gap in off-corridor charging options. By involving local planning agencies, the state hopes to place chargers where drivers actually need them, such as near grocery stores, community centers, or parks, rather than solely on interstate rest stops.
Pennsylvania leads national charging expansion
Pennsylvania currently holds the top position among states for the number of NEVI-funded charging stations opened. The state recently inaugurated its 50th station, a location at a Sheetz store in Harrisburg. This count is nearly double that of any other state, reflecting a significant acceleration in deployment since the program began.
Since the first station opened in December 2023, these facilities have supported over 146,000 charging sessions. State officials estimate this has resulted in 17.3 million miles of electric driving and a reduction of 3,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. However, 38 more stations are still in planning or construction, meaning the network is not yet complete.
Trade-offs in rapid deployment
While the rapid expansion is a clear win for EV adoption, it comes with logistical challenges. The sheer volume of applications expected may strain local grids in some communities, requiring utility upgrades that could delay some projects. Additionally, the competitive nature of the funding means not every eligible site will receive a grant, forcing applicants to make a compelling case for their location’s necessity.
