US Provides Pennsylvania $171M for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

. The amount of money Pennsylvania receives from the federal government for electric vehicle charging stations seems like a huge number.

The $171 million going to this state will arrive over the next five years. This federal funding aims to improve the network of EV charging locations in the state along major highways. By placing the stations in ideal locations, drivers in Pennsylvania can enjoy driving EV models. Drivers will know they are never too far from a place where you can recharge your vehicle.

Massive Amounts of Money Going to Various States

Pennsylvania isn’t alone in the funding for new EV stations. In fact, this state is fifth on the list to receive money for this purpose. The funding is part of a $5millionprogram which is part of the new infrastructure law approved by Congress. Pennsylvania will receive $25 million as the first phase of the funding this year. States receiving more money than this one include Texas at $407 million, California at $383 million, Florida at $198 million, and New York at $175 million. It’s easy to see the most populated and expansive states are the highest on the list.

What is the Goal of the Federal Plan

The Biden administration set out the plan to improve the country’s overall infrastructure and now it’s happening. The goal is to have electric vehicle charging stations located every 50 miles along highways. Putting stations this close together allows for more drivers to feel safe buying these vehicles.  Knowing they can stop and charge their vehicle when they need to. Currently, Pennsylvania has 1,079 charging stations along sections of most of the major interstates, and these stations are less than 50 miles apart. This designation means this state is considered “electric vehicle ready” by the Federal Highway Administration.

We’ve Got Some Catching Up to Do

The population of China is three times that of the United States, but they sell 6.2 percent electric vehicles compared to our 2.3 percent. Why are we so far behind? One of the most important reasons is that China embraced electric driving before we did, and we haven’t had the infrastructure in place to support charging needs out on the road. Federal funding to support efforts by various states to build more charging stations could allow us to catch up with China and begin to sell more battery-powered vehicles.

Pennsylvania has Twice as Many Electric Vehicles Than in 2017

The roadmap to more EV models on the road is one of development, improved infrastructure, and discovery. Over the past five years, EV models have become a greater part of the automotive industry. There are now more EV models available for purchase than ever before. Pennsylvania shows they have more than 29,000 EV cars on the road today, which is double the total from 2017. This predictable result should improve even more as more charging stations are built.

Where are the EVs in Pennsylvania?

There are three large metropolitan areas, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh. Most of the registered electric vehicle models in the state can be found in these areas. This makes a lot of sense. These large cities have had more public charging stations during the past several years than any other area of the state. Will the density of EV models registered dissipate to the rest of the state with more available EV stations? We’re starting to see this migration of EV models going to rural areas and smaller cities, which should continue to occur.

Changes to the AFC Plan

Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFC) in Pennsylvania are roads that are more EV-friendly than other roads in the state. Some of the federal funding can ensure more stations are available along these AFC routes. The criteria for a road to be an AFC route is changing. The previous federal criteria required these stations no more than five miles from an interstate exit, but that will change to one mile. This will be an important change for those driving EV cars. Instead of traveling five miles off the exit to find a place to charge, one will be available within a mile of the exit area.

What Happens When the State Becomes Fully AFC Ready?

Currently, 1,051 interstate miles are pending, with 692 miles in a ready status to create all interstates in Pennsylvania to become AFC Ready. Once that takes place, the federal funding is allowed to be used to build electric vehicle charging stations along any public road or public access location. This means planners could put more stations in parking facilities, near public buildings, schools, and parks giving EV drivers more places where they can charge up their cars.

Are Local Areas Being Left Out?

The beginning of the federal plan is to build out the infrastructure along all interstate routes, but doesn’t this leave out local areas? It could, but there is an additional $2.5 billion discretionary fund available that local areas can use to apply for funding to build more EV charging locations around cities and towns. Local communities need these stations as much as interstates and using this money to build these out will only encourage more drivers to buy electric vehicles in the future. Providing affordable, accessible charging can seriously increase the number of registered EV models in Pennsylvania over the next few years.

An Investment in the Future and Jobs

There’s a shift in the automotive industry from gasoline-powered vehicles to those that use electricity to power the models you want to drive. The need for electric vehicle charging stations increases the need and number of union jobs to build these stations while also improving the impact on the environment. Every state will soon have EV stations located no more than fifty miles apart along interstate highway routes. Will you be purchasing an electric vehicle and begin to use these stations? Will there come a time when we only have vehicles using electric power and not gasoline?