Buckeye Reporter

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that Ohio's first electric vehicle (EV) charger funded through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program is now online, making Ohio the first state in the nation to activate a NEVI charger. 

The new NEVI charging station is located at the Pilot Travel Center along Interstate 70 at U.S. Route 42 in Madison County, west of Columbus. The station is equipped with fast chargers installed by EVgo that are capable of providing up to 350 kW when charging a single vehicle. When four vehicles are charging simultaneously, each port will receive up to 175 kW, which is enough power to charge an EV up to 80% in 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the vehicle’s battery.

“Any industry that focuses on innovations for the future is a priority for Ohio," said Governor DeWine. "Electric vehicles are the future of transportation, and we want drivers in Ohio to have access to this technology today."

“For years, our team has trailblazed the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure, becoming a model for other states implementing the NEVI program,” said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks. “America’s first new charging station puts us one step closer to making travel easier for EV drivers.”

This milestone is the latest in a series of major EV advancements made by the state in recent years. Ohio was the first state in the nation to release a request for charging station proposals last year, which was a strategic move to put Ohio ahead of other states for sought-after equipment and specialized technicians to install the stations. Showing a continued urgency to give Ohioans an advantage in the shift to electric, Ohio was also the first state in the country to announce the future sites of its first round of EV charging stations, and in October, Ohio was the first state in the nation to break ground. 

Construction is expected to begin soon on two dozen fast charging stations funded by NEVI across the state. All chargers installed as part of the first round are anticipated to be operational by the end of 2024.

In total, Ohio will receive $140 million in NEVI funds over five years to support the installation of EV charging stations across the state. While the first round focused on interstates, future rounds will fill in infrastructure gaps along major U.S. and state routes. ODOT is currently accepting proposals for the next round of funding through 1 p.m. onJan. 25, 2024.

To learn more about how to submit a proposal, visit http://drive.ohio.gov/nevi. 

Original source can be found here.