National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Community Charging Funding Opportunity Round 2 for the Western Region

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, through its Strategic Development and Implementation Office, has released the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Community Charging Funding Opportunity Round 2 for the Western Region. This funding opportunity is part of the broader federal NEVI Formula Program established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provides formula-based funding to states to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Pennsylvania is using this funding to move beyond highway corridor build-out and into community-based charging investments that improve accessibility, equity, and convenience for electric vehicle users across the Commonwealth. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to solicit proposals from eligible entities to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations in western Pennsylvania. The program targets a defined set of counties and encourages projects that address gaps in charging coverage, serve community-centered destinations, and provide infrastructure in areas unlikely to attract private investment independently. The initiative prioritizes locations such as public parking areas, government buildings, transit hubs, retail centers, and recreational sites, with a focus on equitable distribution and community benefit. Approximately 25 million dollars in funding is expected to be awarded through this round, with individual project awards capped at either 500,000 or 1,000,000 dollars depending on the county. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis, and applicants may request up to 80 percent of eligible project costs, requiring a minimum 20 percent non-federal cost share. Eligible costs include planning, engineering, equipment procurement, installation, minor grid upgrades, and certain fixed operations and maintenance costs. Costs must be directly related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and funds must be expended within two years of agreement execution unless an extension is granted. Eligibility is broad and includes all incorporated entities that are not restricted from receiving federal funds. This includes private companies, nonprofits, and public entities, provided they meet federal and state compliance requirements. Projects must be located within specified western Pennsylvania counties and must meet technical requirements related to charging capacity, accessibility, and federal standards. Charging stations must be publicly accessible, meet minimum port and power requirements, and comply with federal regulations including Buy America provisions, ADA standards, and cybersecurity expectations. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Pennsylvania eGrants Public Portal Interface. Applicants must create or use an existing Keystone Login to access the system. Each proposal must correspond to a single project site, and applicants may submit multiple proposals. Required application materials include detailed project descriptions, site information, technical specifications, cost breakdowns, and supporting documentation outlined in the proposal instructions and appendices. Proposals are evaluated through a structured scoring process that considers qualifications, site suitability, readiness, cost effectiveness, and alignment with program priorities. The application timeline includes a technical question deadline of August 17, 2026, an application opening date of September 8, 2026, and a submission deadline of November 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Following submission, PennDOT will conduct a review process through early 2027, with conditional awards anticipated in February 2027. Projects then move through environmental review, contracting, design, construction, and a five-year operational period with reporting and performance requirements. This funding opportunity is part of a recurring statewide effort to expand electric vehicle infrastructure across multiple regions. While this specific round targets the western region, future rounds are expected for other regions or subsequent funding cycles. Applicants are encouraged to align proposals with identified priority locations and community needs to improve competitiveness and contribute to Pennsylvania’s long-term transportation electrification goals.

Prioritize high-need community locations; ensure site readiness and utility coordination; align proposal with scoring criteria including cost efficiency and community benefit; avoid duplication with existing infrastructure