Federal money offered for vehicle charging stations

Proposals will be accepted through the end of June.

Governments, transit agencies and businesses in the Mon Valley now have a new opportunity to apply for federal funding to build electric vehicle charging stations, thanks to a newly launched PennDOT initiative aimed at connecting underserved communities to the state’s growing EV network.

On Oct. 7, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation released full details for Corridor Connections, the next phase of its electric vehicle infrastructure plan under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.

For the first time, EV charging projects are eligible for funding on major non-interstate roads — including several key arteries that run through the Mon Valley.

This expansion follows Pennsylvania becoming the first state in the country to receive Full Build-Out Certification under new federal NEVI guidelines.

That certification, awarded in late September, signals that PennDOT has met its obligations to build fast chargers along interstates and can now focus on funding charging stations in communities previously excluded from the program.

For towns like Charleroi, Monessen, Donora, Duquesne and Belle Vernon, this opens the door to a rare infusion of infrastructure dollars.

Route 43 (the Mon–Fayette Expressway), Route 51 and U.S. 119 are now listed as eligible corridors under the Corridor Connections program, making them viable locations for federally backed EV charger installations.

PennDOT plans to award up to $20 million in funding for roughly two dozen projects statewide. Each project must meet strict federal standards, including four fast-charging ports, 24/7 public access and full ADA accessibility. Chargers must also be located within one mile of an eligible corridor.

The application period is officially open, and proposals are due by 5 p.m. Jan. 30, 2026.

Applicants may submit written questions by Nov. 10, with formal responses to be published by the state a week later.

Sites near municipal buildings, shopping centers, gas stations and transit hubs or along commuter routes are all potentially eligible.

Projects may be proposed by municipalities, nonprofit organizations or businesses.

According to PennDOT, public transit agencies like the Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority may also qualify if their proposals meet the technical and locational criteria.

Agencies that operate along eligible corridors and provide regional service may be especially well positioned to apply — particularly if they partner with local governments or property owners.

The Corridor Connections initiative arrives after several years of groundwork.

Since Pennsylvania’s first NEVI- funded station opened, the network has logged more than 30,000 charging sessions and powered more than 3.5 million EV miles.

As of this fall, the state has 20 NEVI stations in operation and 86 additional projects underway across 43 counties.

Still there are signs that national momentum has been uneven.

The NEVI program experienced a six-month pause earlier this year due to federal-level policy shifts, and in some areas, including Pitts- burgh, the private sector has led recent EV growth. That makes the Corridor Connections window especially important for communities looking to catch up — and puts added pressure on local agencies to organize quickly.

For the Mon Valley, where infrastructure disinvestment and transportation gaps have lingered for decades, this program could provide a long-overdue link to the state’s

energy future. PennDOT is encouraging proposals that close charging gaps, connect rural areas and improve what officials call “range confidence” for EV drivers.

To explore eligibility, review the official Corridor Connections map or download application materials by visiting www. penndot.pa.gov. To track national progress on NEVI investments, visit www.evstates. org.