Contact: Noah Barnes, Electrification Coalition
nbarnes@electrificationcoalition.org, (202) 461-2371
HARRISBURG—The Electrification Coalition (EC) applauds the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for submitting its National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) state plan. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to deploy a nationwide electric vehicle (EV) charging network, the Pennsylvania Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan, will guide the administration of federal funds allocated to Pennsylvania to build EV charging infrastructure along its alternative fuel corridors and accelerate Pennsylvania’s electric mobility future.
Pennsylvania is slated to receive $25 million in the first year of the NEVI program. The EC commends Pennsylvania for creating a robust state plan, which represents a significant investment in the future of electric transportation. In doing so, Pennsylvania will boost its economy and ensure that EV drivers can travel across the state with ease and confidence. The investment will also bring new EV charging stations to rural communities across the state.
“In submitting its state plan, Pennsylvania is taking an important step toward ensuring that all of its communities have greater access to EV charging infrastructure,” said Ben Prochazka, executive director of the EC. “We have long supported policies and programs in Pennsylvania to advance EV adoption. We are excited to see the state continue its dedication to transportation electrification, which will reduce our dependence on oil and the associated national and economic security risks.”
“To accelerate this EV moment, we urge Pennsylvania policymakers to prioritize bold policies that will take advantage of Pennsylvania’s unique stance as a net exporter of electricity to other surrounding states,” said Prochazka. “A strong Pennsylvania economy depends on state leaders passing additional policies to facilitate the widespread and rapid adoption of EVs so that Pennsylvania communities can access the benefits of transportation electrification.”
To lead regionally and nationally on transportation electrification, the EC urges the following policy actions:
- Demonstrate proactive leadership. Pennsylvania should prioritize key manufacturing incentives and policies that build out the EV supply chain within the state, to leverage the state’s legacy of being a hub of strategic industrial materials and ensure it does not fall behind other states.
- Increase consumer access to EVs. Ensure EV availability in the state by adopting key policies that will expand the freedom of consumers to buy the EV of their choice.
- Provide clarity to electric utility providers on how to ensure grid resiliency and reliability with the anticipated increase in EV adoption, as well as guidelines for utility investment in EV infrastructure and programs. PennDOT should continue to work closely with the Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) to enable further efficiency in the deployment process.
- Prepare for medium- and heavy-duty electrification. Current funding opportunities present a unique opportunity to plan for transportation needs beyond light-duty vehicles. Pennsylvania must take additional actions to achieve the goals of the NESCAUM medium- and heavy-duty MOU, which was signed in July 2020. These actions would continue to help Pennsylvania set and meet electrification goals across all vehicle types.
- Continue elevated regional coordination. Pennsylvania’s efforts to align with Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials (NASTO), the Eastern Transportation Coalition (ETC), neighboring State Department of Transportation (DOTs) and Clean Cities Coalitions will advance a more reliable charging network.
By swiftly enacting strong transportation electrification policies, the state can encourage the growth of the EV market, leading to new jobs and economic development in the EV industry.
Fostering these investments in the future of electric transportation will benefit Pennsylvania’s economy and signal to the global automotive industry Pennsylvania’s growing commitment to and leadership on transportation electrification.
With over a decade of experience developing and deploying cutting-edge tools and resources to support the mass adoption of electric vehicles, the EC is a trusted partner supporting states, local governments, and communities across the country with the policies and projects to drive our electric transportation future. The EC is ready to build on its work in Pennsylvania to support the efficient, effective, and equitable deployment of charging infrastructure through the NEVI state plan.
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About the Electrification Coalition: The Electrification Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that advances policies and actions to facilitate the widespread deployment of electric vehicles in order to overcome the economic, public health and national security challenges that stem from America’s dependence on oil. For more information, visit electrificationcoalition.org.