Contact: Noah Barnes, Electrification Coalition
noah@electrification.org, (202) 461-2371
HARRISBURG—A group of Pennsylvania mayors, county officials, school leaders, and state legislators is calling on Congress to protect federal funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in the upcoming highway bill, warning that cuts or rollbacks would jeopardize Pennsylvania’s ability to move forward with a program they are the national leader in, potentially sacrificing local investments, economic growth, and transportation reliability across the state.
In a sign‑on letter sent to members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation, 11locally elected officials from communities large and small urged lawmakers to maintain federal commitments that are already helping bring EV charging stations to urban centers, rural communities, and key travel corridors statewide. They also expressed concern about a proposed federal EV tax that would require EV drivers to pay significantly more than drivers of internal combustion engine vehicles, and urged a fair, fuel-neutral solution.
The letter was organized by the Electrification Coalition and emphasizes that predictable federal funding is essential for long‑term planning, private investment, and access to charging infrastructure for Pennsylvania residents and businesses. Under Governor Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania has been the nation’s leader in deploying federal funding to build out the state’s charging network.
Local officials also note that EV charging investments support local jobs and help Pennsylvania remain competitive as automakers and manufacturers continue to invest heavily in electric transportation:
“Six electric school buses are on the road in Steelton and Highspire today because of federal funding,” said Steelton-Highspire School District Board of Directors President Micheal T. Wanner. “That $2.37 million investment is already saving our district between $20,000 to $30,000 a year in fuel costs. Congress should protect these programs so more Pennsylvania districts can do the same.”
Matthew Tuerk, Mayor of Allentown, also issued the following statement to accompany the letter: “Local governments depend on predictable federal partnerships to plan responsibly and attract private investments. EV charging funds are already strengthening infrastructure across Pennsylvania, and disrupting that progress would undermine ongoing projects. Congress should provide stability, not uncertainty.”
Signatories include mayors from Pittsburgh, Allentown, Lancaster, and Erie; Chester County Board of Commissioners Chair Josh Maxwell; state representatives Matzie, Steele, Webster, and Madsen; Steelton-Highspire School District Board of School Directors President Michael T. Wanner; and Allegheny County Council member Dan Grzybek. Together, the officials represent communities across the state and share a commitment to strengthening local infrastructure and economic competitiveness.
The full list of officials signing the letter:
- Mayor Corey O’Connor, City of Pittsburgh
- Mayor Matt Tuerk, City of Allentown
- Mayor Jamie Arroyo, City of Lancaster
- Chairman Josh Maxwell, Chester County Board of Commissioners
- Mayor Daria S. Devlin, City of Erie
- Rep. Robert F. Matzie, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Rep. Mandy Steele, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Rep. Joe Webster, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Rep. David Madsen, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- President Micheal T. Wanner, Steelton-Highspire School District Board of Directors
- Councilmember Dan Grzybek, Allegheny County Council
“Expanding our EV charging infrastructure is critical to ending our dependence on oil for transportation, particularly at a time when gas prices are spiking,” said Ben Prochazka, executive director of the Electrification Coalition. “Powering vehicles with domestic electricity is cheaper for consumers and insulates them from the price volatility associated with gasoline. Congress should protect funding for EV charging and stop an unfair EV tax to protect American economic and national security.”
Pennsylvania has been a national leader in leveraging federal funds to attract private investment and deploy EV charging stations along major highways and in local communities. Local leaders warn that disrupting this funding would delay projects that are already in progress and undermine confidence among private partners.
###
About the Electrification Coalition: The Electrification Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes policies and actions to facilitate the widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) on a mass scale to overcome the economic, public health and national security challenges that stem from America’s dependence on oil. ElectrificationCoalition.org