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U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg speaks during an event to discuss investments in the U.S. electric vehicle charging network, outside Department of Transportation headquarters on February 10, 2022 in Washington, DC.
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Pennsylvania survey seeks input on location of electric vehicle charging stations

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Pennsylvania survey seeks input on location of electric vehicle charging stations

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation wants public input as it develops plans to install hundreds of charging stations for electric vehicles over the next five years,

The department announced Wednesday it is conducting an online survey through the end of the month to have the public weigh in on options about the placement of the new stations. The 500,000 stations that will be installed across the country are a key aspect of the Biden administration’s goal of having electric vehicles be more than 50% of the vehicles sold by 2030.

Pennsylvania is eligible for $171.5 million in federal stimulus funds to install stations over the next five years, including $25 million this year. The Federal Highway Administration funds require a 20% state match. 

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Goals announced last week as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program call for charging stations to be available every 50 miles and to be less than a mile away from interstates or major highways. The state survey also asks motorists about details such as the types of amenities they would like around the charging stations including retail, restrooms and food and beverage options.

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Initially, the state identified its 15 interstate highways and a portion of Route 30 in the central part of the state as alternative fuel corridors where charging stations will be installed. The survey also will be used to identify potential sites along other major highways with the end goal of putting every driver in the state within 50 miles of a charger.

Once the state has met the base requirements of the alternative fuel corridors, it can consider additional charging sites at schools, parks and public buildings.

“PennDOT is committed to making future-focused investments in Pennsylvania to update our highway network to accommodate more electric vehicles and hybrids,” PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said in a news release. “We have received public and stakeholder feedback throughout this process, which is vital to understanding wants and needs as this transformational technology takes hold.”

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Right now, the state has just over 900 charging sites, but many of them are operated by private companies that can charge various rates and offer fast- or slow-charging facilities. Federal guidelines for the stimulus money require uniform, fast-charging stations and set rates, although there may be some differences in price based on the regional electricity supplier.

The state has more than 23,000 registered electric vehicles, up from about 9,700 in March 2019.

The state will use the EV Equity Guiding Principles it adopted earlier this year to guide decisions on where to place charging stations. Those principles include making electric vehicles affordable and charging stations accessible; adding electric vehicles to the state fleet; placing stations in underserved, low-income communities; and increasing the awareness of electric vehicles, educating the public about them and providing the infrastructure to increase their usage. 

The state expects to submit its spending proposal to federal officials in August. Funds will be available once the proposal is approved.

Ed Blazina: eblazina@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1470 or on Twitter @EdBlazina.

First Published: June 19, 2022, 10:08 p.m.

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