Grants accessible for EV charging infrastructure

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has released an updated Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Round 1 of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Grant program. The grant program aims to enhance Pennsylvania’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure while supporting local communities. The application period will open on March 27 and close on May 5.

As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, PennDOT will receive and distribute $171.5 million in federal formula funds for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure over the next five years. The program will receive an advance appropriation of $25.4 million for federal fiscal year 2022 and $36.5 million for 2023. About $56 million will be available for applicants. The NEVI grant program is a reimbursement grant program, and applicants are required to provide a minimum 20% match.

The NEVI grant funding supports the commonwealth and federal goal of expanding EV charging along previously designated Alternative Fuel Corridors and Interstate lookalikes. There are over 1,800 miles of Alternative Fuel Corridors in Pennsylvania. NEVI formula funds must first be used to “build out” designated AFCs, meeting US DOT minimum standards and requirements. During Round 1, the focus will be on building out the AFC network along the interstates to meet the NEVI requirements.

PennDOT has created an interactive map identifying existing AFC-qualifying stations and has grouped interchanges based on priority through a gap analysis. An outline of the scoring criteria is also listed in order of priority. Most entities are eligible to receive NEVI funds, but PennDOT expects most applicants to be public-sector entities, incorporated nonprofit entities, and corporations or business entities registered to do business in Pennsylvania. The NEVI grant program includes multiple rounds of funding.