Grant applications for EV infrastructure open next month

Applications for grants to build the state’s electric vehicle infrastructure will open next month for organizations looking to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain EV Station Infrastructure sites. 

PennDOT announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Round 1 of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Grant program. The application period will open on Feb. 24 until 5 p.m. April 6. 

 “The NEVI Grant Program provides an opportunity for Pennsylvania to build out our EV charging infrastructure,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “We’ve created this grant program with considerations of equity in mind, with scoring to ensure local workforce and diversity in partnerships.” 

 As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), PennDOT will receive and distribute $171.5 million in federal formula funds for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure over the next five years.  

For the Round 1 funding, PennDOT has advanced appropriations of $25.4 million for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2022 and $36.5 million for FFY 2023. 

Funds can be used for labor and workforce training, planning, outreach, and program management as allowed by NEVI guidelines. Approximately $56 million is anticipated to be available.   

The PA NEVI grant program is a reimbursement grant program and applicants are required to provide a minimum 20% match. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, PennDOT said. 

Most entities are eligible to receive NEVI funds; however, PennDOT anticipates most applicants will be public-sector entities, incorporated nonprofit entities, and corporations or business entities registered to do business in Pennsylvania. 

The NEVI grant funding supports the commonwealth and federal goal of expanding EV charging along the previously designated alternate fuel corridors (AFC), of which Pennsylvania has over 1,800 miles. 

Per the guidance from U.S. DOT, NEVI formula funds must first be used to “build out” designated roadways (no more than 50 miles between stations and less than 1 mile from an exit) and meet U.S. DOT minimum standards and requirements.  

PennDOT has created an interactive map identifying existing AFC-qualifying stations and has grouped interchanges based on priority. In addition, PennDOT’s NOFO includes instructions and information on the grant program, eligibility, scoring criteria, submission process and instructions.  

Interested parties can view the NOFO on PennDOT’s website. All applications must be submitted electronically through PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s eGrant system.