Lawrence County gains new EV charging station
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A new federally funded electric vehicle (EV) charging station has opened in New Castle.
Located at the Sheetz convenience store on Route 224, near Interstate 376 at Exit 13, the Tesla-branded station is one of six new sites announced by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
The addition of these six locations brings Pennsylvania's total number of National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program sites to 17, placing the state among the leaders in the country for open NEVI-funded charging stations.
Since the initial NEVI-funded station opened in Pennsylvania, these charging points have recorded more than 17,400 charging sessions. This activity has supported an estimated 2 million miles of electric vehicle travel and contributed to a reduction of over 950,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll stated that the expansion of EV charging infrastructure is progressing, aiming to enhance accessibility for travelers in Pennsylvania.
The 17 operational NEVI stations represent a federal investment of more than $9 million. PennDOT has committed approximately $70 million of the $171.5 million allocated by the NEVI program, with 90 projects totaling around $59 million currently under contract.
Other new charging stations are located at:
- Love’s Travel Stop in Brookville, Jefferson County, along I-80 (Exit 81)
- Tesla in Fort Littleton, Fulton County, on Route 522 at the 522 Pitstop, along I-76 (Exit 180)
- Wawa in Enola, Cumberland County, along I-81 (Exit 65A)
- EVgo in Monroeville, Allegheny County, at Penn Place Shopping Plaza, along I-76 (Exit 57) and I-376 exit 84
- Tesla in Meadville, Crawford County, at Giant Eagle, along I-79 (Exit 147)
NEVI funding supports the expansion of EV charging infrastructure along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs). Pennsylvania has more than 1,800 miles of AFCs. The program requires stations to be no more than 50 miles apart and within 1 mile of an AFC exit, adhering to U.S. DOT standards.
The PA NEVI program involves multiple funding rounds. Initial rounds focused on establishing the AFC network along interstates to meet NEVI requirements. PennDOT has since announced awards for subsequent rounds, designed to address remaining gaps within the AFC network.