Locations Announced for 27 New EV Charging Stations in Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio – More than $18 million will be spent to install 27 electric vehicle charging stations along interstates in Ohio, although none in the first round are slated for the Mahoning Valley.
Gov. Mike DeWine, along with Jack Marchbanks, Ohio Department of Transportation director; Preeti Choudhary, DriveOhio executive director; and Andrew Rogers, Federal Highway Administration deputy administrator, announced the new stations, which will be developed as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program.
Ohio is reportedly the first state to announce station sites that will be developed through the NEVI program.
Ohio’s new EV charging stations will be located along Interstates 70, 71, 74, 75, 76, 77 and 90. They will be placed no more than 1 mile from the interstates and every 50 miles. Each will include at least four charger ports with 150 kilowatts per port and will be accessible around the clock with easy access to food, drinks and restrooms.
While the NEVI program is providing $18 million, the money will be matched with nearly $6 million from the private entities selected to install and operate the new EV fast-charging stations, including Pilot Travel Centers, TH Midwest, Francis Energy, Meijer Stores, EVgo Services, ChargeNet Stations and Equilon/Shell.
“One of the major concerns for consumers considering purchasing an electric vehicle has been, ‘Can I find a place to charge it?’ This a major step in removing that barrier and making sure that in Ohio, the answer is yes,” Choudhary said.
This fall, ODOT will seek additional proposals for 16 additional sights along U.S. and state routes. There are currently 13 preexisting federally compliant charging stations in Ohio and about 53,000 registered electric vehicles.
Over the next five years, Ohio will receive a total of $140 million in NEVI funds to support the installation of EV charging stations.
“This is an exciting time for Ohio as we continue to lead the charge in electric mobility,” DeWine said. “As more Ohioans purchase EVs, this statewide network of chargers will ensure that our transportation infrastructure is prepared to accommodate these drivers, as well as visitors who travel to Ohio to see all that our great state has to offer.”
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
