Governor Moore Announces Huge Federal Investment for Electric Vehicle Charging Expansion in Maryland

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Annapolis, MD, July 10, 2024 — Governor Wes Moore has announced the allocation of $12.1 million in federal funding to significantly enhance electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across Maryland. This funding, part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to establish 130 fast-charging ports at 23 strategically located sites in 15 counties.

Boosting Clean Energy and Economic Growth

Governor Moore emphasized the dual benefits of this initiative. "Clean energy is not just smart for the environment; it creates new jobs for Marylanders and strengthens our economy. Climate action is about more than avoiding disaster. It’s about growing opportunity, and we can – and we will – do both,” he said. The deployment of EV chargers is a critical step in advancing Maryland's clean energy goals and promoting a sustainable future.

Strategic Partnerships and Locations

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is collaborating with several partners, including ElectraStop, Francis Energy, Gridwealth EV, Koulomb, Pilot Travel Centers, Tesla, and Wawa. These partners will help deploy EV chargers at various locations such as travel centers, shopping malls, gas stations, and convenience stores along federally-designated Alternative Fuel Corridors.

Addressing Barriers to EV Adoption

“One of the major barriers potential EV owners face is a lack of chargers across the state. With these awards, we are taking a critical step forward in providing more options for Marylanders to travel worry-free,” stated MDOT Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. The initiative supports the Moore-Miller Administration's commitment to making Maryland the greenest state in the country by accelerating the transition to electric vehicles.

Funding and Implementation

Award recipients will receive up to 80% of the funding for new EV infrastructure, with a requirement to maintain 97% operational uptime for at least five years. Additionally, they will provide $5.6 million in private matching funds. The construction of the new EV charging ports is expected to be completed within a year, with sites operational by Fall 2025.

Environmental and Economic Impact

“The transportation sector makes up 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Maryland," noted Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain. "Installing these new fast chargers along our highways provides the certainty that consumers need to transition to electric vehicles." This effort not only advances Maryland's clean energy transition but also contributes to a greener economy and cleaner air.

Future Plans and Goals

The current conditional awards are part of Maryland’s broader National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure plan, which aims to establish a total of 41 EV fast charging sites. Once the new sites are operational, Maryland will have met over 50% of the federal build-out requirements for Alternative Fuel Corridors. MDOT plans to issue a request for proposals this fall for the remaining 18 sites.

Promoting EV Adoption

Paul G. Pinsky, Director of the Maryland Energy Administration, highlighted the importance of this investment. "Investing in these new charging ports is a major step forward in making Maryland a leader in electric vehicle adoption," he said. With nearly 110,000 electric vehicle registrations as of June 30, Maryland has seen a 65% increase in EV adoption since January 2023.

For more information about Maryland’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure implementation, visit the Maryland Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan website. To learn more about the state’s EV adoption progress, visit the Maryland by the Numbers website.