Federally funded EV charging station opens in Aston
PennDOT has opened a federally funded electric vehicle charging station at Royal Farms on Route 452 in in Aston.
This is the state's third in the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program electric vehicle charging station to come online and is part of a five-year program in which Pennsylvania will receive $171.5 million in dedicated formula funding.
The new charging station will support a total of eight ports, of which four ports are funded by NEVI and are capable of providing 150 kW of power to each vehicle simultaneously.
The total NEVI funding awarded to the project was $253,826 but Tesla will own and operate the charging station. The Royal Farms station is open 24/7 and provides customers with access to the amenities while charging.
"The Shapiro administration is aggressively investing these funds to give Pennsylvanians more clean transportation options no matter where they live," said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll in a press release. "As more stations are built near our highways, we are also driving toward expanded charging infrastructure in communities across the commonwealth. Pennsylvania will see more EV charging options because of this state and federal partnership, and we look forward to opening even more charging stations."
The charging station is at the Route 452 Exit on I-95 (Exit 2) near Route 322.
"We're excited to support Pennsylvania — a leader in the sustainable transportation revolution — as they open their third NEVI-funded EV charging station," said acting Federal Highway Administrator Kristin White. "Pennsylvania is one of the leading states in building out its Alternative Fuel Corridors — a key part of the national EV network — ensuring people can conveniently and reliably charge electric vehicles, while supporting the growing demand for EVs and investing in good-paying jobs."
"PennDOT is swiftly leveraging NEVI funding in collaboration with private investment to address gaps in Pennsylvania's expanding network of high-speed fast chargers along the national highway system," said Joint Office of Energy and Transportation Executive Director Gabe Klein. "Simultaneously, cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are tapping into Charging and Fueling Infrastructure grant funding to build new EV charging hubs, making it easier for multifamily residents, gig workers, and underserved communities to ride and drive electric."
The federal goal is to expand EV charging along the previously designated Alternative Fuel Corridors . Pennsylvania has over 1,800 miles those roads. For electric vehicles they include the interstates, U.S. 1 and Route 30 in Delaware County.
Guidance calls for no more than 50 miles between stations and stations must be less than one mile from an exit.
"Energizing the first NEVI-funded charger in southeastern Pennsylvania is an important milestone for PECO, and we look forward to working with PennDOT to build on this momentum to expand access to electric vehicle charging," said Carolina DiGiorgio, PECO vice president of Governmental and External Affairs. "The NEVI program is incredibly important to Pennsylvania's electrified transportation goals, and we're committed to doing all that we can to streamline our efforts so more projects like this can come online soon."
The PA NEVI program includes multiple rounds of funding. The Aston station was awarded in the first round. PennDOT recently announced conditional awards of NEVI Round 1B to close remaining gaps.
Once Alternative Fuel Corridors are fully built out, PennDOT will shift to expanding EV chargers to Pennsylvania's community charging infrastructure, officials said.
