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First Public EV Charging Station Funded by NEVI Open in America

Dec. 13, 2023

First NEVI funded station ribbon cutting in Ohio.
The first NEVI-funded electric vehicle charging station opens in Ohio. Photo from Ohio Department of Transportation

The nation’s first electric vehicle (EV) charging station funded through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program celebrated its opening today outside Columbus, Ohio, officially jumpstarting the Administration’s work building more than 500,000 chargers that will connect 79,000 miles of America’s roads and highways.

Since President Biden took office, EV sales have tripled, private investment has grown exponentially, and the number of publicly available charging ports has grown by 70%. There are now more than 165,000 public EV chargers nationwide, putting America ahead of schedule to reach the Administration’s goal of building a national network of 500,000 public EV charging ports by 2030.

Ohio’s new charging location at the Pilot Travel Center along Interstate 70 at U.S. Route 42 is the first of thousands that will fill gaps in charging, add capacity, and boost the reliability of our nation’s fast charging network. It’s equipped with fast chargers capable of providing up to 175 kW when at least four cars are charging—enough to power an EV to 80% in 20-40 minutes depending on vehicle battery. And while charging, drivers can enjoy the convenience of easily accessible food, beverages, and roadside needs.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) worked with all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico to strategically design an EV charging network that supports local and regional needs while covering the length and breadth of America's roads.

“This program is about more than just installing chargers; it’s about working together across public and private to ensure taxpayer dollars result in effective and lasting infrastructure and a convenient, Made-in-America national charging network,” said Joint Office Executive Director Gabe Klein.

More NEVI-funded charging stations will be operational in the coming months, with New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Maine having already broken ground. In total, twenty-eight states have issued solicitations, and more than a dozen of these states have already awarded contracts or have agreements in place.

NEVI is a concerted effort to ensure the EV future of tomorrow is thoughtfully planned, efficiently built, and meets the needs of all Americans, regardless of where they live.

The effort to get chargers in the ground is complemented by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program, which provides $2.5 billion in grant funds to strategically deploy publicly accessible EV charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in communities where people live and work.