On Wednesday, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced that $12.1 million in federal funding has been conditionally awarded to seven companies for expanding electric vehicle charging sites in the state as part of the first round of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program.
The NEVI program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will expedite the installation of publicly accessible EV chargers and establish a dependable charging network, creating 130 fast-charging ports at 23 sites in 15 counties in the state.
The Maryland Department of Transportation will partner with ElectraStop, Francis Energy, Gridwealth EV, Koulomb, Pilot Travel Centers, Tesla, and Wawa to deploy EV chargers at various sites, including travel centers, shopping malls, gas stations, convenience stores, subject to a final agreement. The sites are located along federally designated Alternative Fuel Corridors which support EV charging, as well as hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling infrastructure.
With nearly 110,000 registrations as of June 30, the state has seen growth of more than 65% since January 2023. Electric vehicles are registered in all 23 counties and Baltimore.
“Clean energy is not just smart for the environment; it creates new jobs for Marylanders and strengthens our economy. Climate action is about more than avoiding disaster. It’s about growing opportunity, and we can – and we will – do both,” said Gov. Moore. “Maryland takes a back seat to no one in advancing our clean energy goals, and today, we move one step closer to achieving a more sustainable future for all. I want to thank the Biden-Harris Administration and our federal, state, and local partners for their support.”
According to a press release, award recipients will receive program funding for up to 80 percent of the new electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure cost. Additionally, recipients must operate and maintain direct current fast (DC) chargers, ensuring they are operational 97% of the time for at least five years, and will need to provide $5.6 million in private matching funds.
Participants have one year to build the new EV charging ports, and the sites must be open by Fall 2025.
“One of the major barriers potential EV owners face is a lack of chargers across the state. With these awards, we are taking a critical step forward in providing more options for Marylanders to travel worry-free,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “Under the Moore-Miller Administration, Maryland is committed to being the greenest state in the country. When it comes to transportation, that means accelerating the transition to electric vehicles alongside other critical investments in transit and mode shift.”
State officials say the conditional awards are a crucial part of Maryland’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure plan and will help implement 41 EV fast-charging sites necessary to comply with the federal build-out of the state’s Alternative Fuel Corridors. Once these new fast-charging sites are operational, Maryland will meet over 50% of the federal corridor build-out requirements.
In line with program requirements, sites are designed to guarantee charging infrastructure at least every 50 miles along these Alternative Fuel Corridors. This autumn, the Maryland Department of Transportation plans to release a request for proposals for a second round of funding to construct the remaining 18 sites.
“Investing in these new charging ports is a major step forward in making Maryland a leader in electric vehicle adoption. These new stations will go a long way toward encouraging the purchase of electric vehicles and reducing ‘range anxiety,'” said Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul G. Pinsky. “Maryland wants to welcome EV purchasers and people traveling through our state — as well as create new jobs. NEVI is helping move us quickly toward both goals.”
Information about Maryland’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure implementation is available at the Maryland Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan website.
Photo: © paulynn – stock.adobe.com
⚡ 🔌Maryland is moving to expand electric vehicle charging. 🔌⚡
$12.1 million is being awarded to build 130 fast charging ports at 23 sites across the state.
Seven companies have been conditionally awarded funding.
Learn more ➡️https://t.co/EU9MGZraJP#electricvehicle #ev— Maryland Department of Transportation (@MDOTNews) July 10, 2024