Pennsylvania is one of the nation’s leaders in federally funded EV charging infrastructure, with 29 stations open, $54 million committed, and over 80,000 charging sessions supporting 9.6 million electric miles driven since 2023. Drivers are using this network, and demand is only growing.
The programs that are delivering critical infrastructure to Pennsylvania are now at risk. Without continued investment, Pennsylvania will lose a crucial opportunity to expand charging along major highway corridors and into more communities across the Commonwealth at exactly the moment drivers are showing us the infrastructure is needed.
Please join other Pennsylvania elected officials and add your name to the sign-on letter below that will be sent to Congress, urging them to retain dedicated EV charger funding.
Dear [Members of Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation],
As leaders of a state that has built more National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) charging stations than nearly any other state in the nation, we know firsthand what this investment delivers. We, leaders from communities across Pennsylvania, urge you to prioritize maintaining dedicated funding for electric vehicles (EVs) and charging in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill. This includes the NEVI Formula Program, the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Grant Program, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Low or No Emission Grant Program, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean School Bus Program.
The United States stands at a pivotal moment in transportation innovation. With 178 models available and almost 8 million EVs already sold in America, the market momentum is undeniable. However, the recent decision to rescind $879 million in NEVI funding from the FY 2026 appropriations package creates policy and funding uncertainty, putting progress at risk and making continued funding for dedicated charging programs in the surface transportation reauthorization critical.
Consumer Demand Requires Infrastructure
Consumer interest in EVs continues to accelerate. J.D. Power reports that nearly 60% of new-vehicle shoppers are “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to consider an EV, but access to reliable charging infrastructure remains a significant barrier to mass adoption. NEVI and CFI represent first-of-their-kind programs to build a nationwide network of EV charging, providing reliability and certainty to American consumers who choose an EV. At this pivotal moment, we must ensure that infrastructure investments keep pace with market demand by supporting programs that leverage public funding to attract much larger private investment. Our communities are positioned to benefit from the jobs and economic development that come with this infrastructure buildout.
Economic Competitiveness and National Security
EV technology is critical to U.S. economic competitiveness and national security; we cannot afford to cede leadership in this sector to China. Sustained investment in EV charging infrastructure will support hundreds of thousands of American jobs and ensure our domestic auto industry can effectively compete with Chinese automakers. Additionally, the battery and critical mineral supply chains that power this industry are essential to our defense capabilities, helping build a domestic and allied supply chain that is not reliant on those of our adversaries.
State Momentum
Thanks to increased program flexibility under the Trump administration, more than 45 out of 50 states are now moving forward with plans to expand public-private partnerships and increase the choices consumers and fleets have for powering their transportation future. Pennsylvania has led the way, consistently ranking among the nation’s leaders in stations built with federal charging funds. With 29 of those stations open and operating—representing $17 million in investment—and another 54 in various stages of development, Pennsylvania’s $54 million in committed funding is already delivering infrastructure and jobs for residents. Since the first station opened in December 2023, the network has supported more than 80,000 charging sessions and an estimated 9.6 million miles driven, proving that when the infrastructure is built, drivers use it. To claw back this funding just when states and communities are moving forward would further handicap the United States’ ability to stay competitive in transportation innovation, because inconsistent funding signals undermine years-long state and local planning efforts and erode the collaborative public-private partnerships that are driving economic progress. This is why it is essential to include dedicated funds for charging programs in the surface transportation reauthorization bill.
Examples of State and Local Projects & Progress
- Allegheny County Received almost $4.1 million to deploy 150 new EV charging ports, supporting 1.23 million residents and visitors.
- Scranton School District: Received almost $10 million and is now operating 25 electric school buses.
- City of Pittsburgh: Received almost $2.4 million to expand public EV charging alongside Duquesne Light and the Pittsburgh Parking Authority. Also partnering with the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) on the nation’s first EV Automotive Technician Apprenticeship program, now operational at its West Hills Center.
- City of Lancaster: Received more than $3.1 million to deploy 74 charging stations at 11 public off-street—and one on-street—parking locations.
- Pennsylvania: Twenty-nine highway corridor stations are operating, with another 54 in various stages of development. The early stages of $100 million in community charging are also now in progress.
- SEPTA & Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT): Between 2017 and 2023, leveraged nearly $117 million in program funds to purchase battery electric buses (BEB’s), charging infrastructure, workforce development, and facility upgrades.
- And much more…
Ensuring Fair and Fuel-Neutral Policy
We are also concerned about a proposed EV tax that would require EV drivers to pay significantly more than what internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle drivers pay into the gas tax. The steady decline in gas tax revenues is largely due not to the rise of EVs, but rather the greater fuel efficiency of gas vehicles and the failure to index the taxes to inflation. A punitive tax on EV drivers will not solve the very real issues facing the Highway Trust Fund, and we urge you to adopt a fair long-term solution through a fuel-neutral approach. We remain committed to exploring solutions to fund our transportation infrastructure for all users.
The Path Forward
Consistent and adequate funding for dedicated charging infrastructure programs is essential to maintain the momentum that communities across Pennsylvania—a national leader in their deployment—have built. More than $54 million in committed funding is already underway, with an additional $100 million in community charging investments now open across the Commonwealth.
We strongly urge you to maintain the current levels of funding for dedicated charging infrastructure programs in the surface transportation reauthorization bill, demonstrating a consistent commitment to policies that support American jobs and global competitiveness.