With 20th EV charging station, Pa. leads nation

The NEVI program will now invest in EV charging options for local communities.

Pennsylvania hit a milestone in the national push for electric vehicle infrastructure — and the road ahead could run straight through the Mid-Mon Valley.

PennDOT earlier this month announced the opening of the state’s 20th federally funded EV charging station under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. The newest site, at a Sheetz on Freeport Road along Interstate 76 (Exit 48) in Pittsburgh, represents a total of $11.5 million in federal investment and puts Pennsylvania in the lead nationally for NEVI-funded projects.

But for local communities, the real opportunity may be what comes next.

PennDOT confirmed that Pennsylvania is the first state in the country to receive Full Build-Out Certification under updated federal NEVI guidance. That green light allows the state to move beyond highway- focused charging and start funding stations within communities — including Washington, Fayette, Westmoreland and Allegheny counties.

The Corridor Connections phase officially launched Oct. 7, with $20 million available for projects designed to close charging gaps and improve access across more than 1,000 miles of key roadways.

That includes heavily traveled routes in Southwestern Pennsylvania like U.S. Routes 119 and 22, Route 43 (Mon-Fayette Expressway) and Route 28.

“We explored the idea of adding EV charging stations a few years ago, including one at the North Charleroi Park & Ride,” said Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority Executive Director Ashley Seman. “It is an exciting concept, especially as more drivers consider electric vehicles.”

Entities eligible to apply for funding include local governments, planning organizations, transit authorities, nonprofits, private companies including fuel providers and site operators and public-private partnerships Projects must support Level 2 or DC fast charging, follow federal Buy America and labor requirements, and be located on or near roadways not previously designated as Alternative Fuel Corridors.

According to PennDOT, the 20 existing NEVI-funded stations have powered more than 30,000 charging sessions, fueled over 3.5 million miles of electric travel and reduced more than 1.7 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions — about 750 metric tons.

Applications for funding are due by 5 p.m. Jan. 30, 2026, and projects will be selected based on readiness, equity, location and community benefit.

Still, regional transit leaders say the local EV market is in its early stages — and some questions remain.

“We still need to determine whether our riders would actually use a station, what the long-term maintenance costs would be, and if there are enough EVs in the Mid-Mon Valley to make it worthwhile,” Seman said. “We continue to monitor funding opportunities and community demand to see if installing a charger would be beneficial for the area.”