Pennsylvania Allocates $37M for 515 New EV Charging Ports in Philadelphia Region
Funding includes curbside Level 2 ports and DC fast chargers, aiming to expand regional availability by 27%.
Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation has awarded $37 million in federal NEVI funding to install 515 new public EV charging ports across the Philadelphia region. The initiative includes a significant push for curbside charging to serve drivers without home access.
What Happened
PennDOT announced the awards will cover Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. The projects are expected to expand public charging availability by 27% across the region and 53% within Philadelphia city limits. It’s Electric PA received $2.93 million to install 157 on-street Level 2 ports in 13 Philadelphia neighborhoods, while Voltpost secured funding for 62 additional curbside ports in the suburban counties. Fast-charging infrastructure also received attention, with PositivEnergy awarded $7.2 million for 54 DC fast-charging ports at 11 Philadelphia Parking Authority lots. Tesla received two awards of $392,000 each to install eight ports at Royal Farms in Broomall and Wawa in Plymouth Meeting.
Why It Matters
This funding marks a shift in how the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program is deployed in Pennsylvania. Initially focused on highway corridors, the program can now support broader community charging after the Federal Highway Administration certified that Pennsylvania met its corridor requirements on September 22, 2025. The state has already built 54 EV charging stations using NEVI funds, more than double the number of any other state. For urban drivers lacking driveways, the inclusion of curbside Level 2 ports addresses a critical gap in charging accessibility. The projects must meet specific requirements, including at least four ports per station, 6 kW per port, ADA-compliant spaces, and Buy America equipment standards.
The Bottom Line
These 71 awards are part of a larger $100 million statewide community charging effort. While environmental reviews and agreements are scheduled for late 2026 and early 2027, drivers will need to wait for construction and commissioning before these new ports become operational. Applications for western Pennsylvania close on November 20, with central and eastern regions following in March 2027.
