MORPC gets $15 million to install more electric vehicle charging stations in central Ohio

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commision has been awarded a $15-million grant from the Federal Highway Administration to expand electric vehicle infrastructure across central Ohio, the commission announced Thursday.

The federal grant is earmarked for MORPC's Mid-Ohio Regional Equity for Electric Vehicle Stations (MORE EVS) project, and will facilitate the expansion of electric vehicle charging stations at 62 locations across 13 counties with a focus on underserved urban and rural areas. The overall goal is to increase accessibility to charging stations, reduce carbon emissions, and support central Ohio's transition to sustainable transportation, MORPC said.

The MORE EVS project, a partnership of 32 organizations that include nonprofit organizations, local governments, and public agencies, will lead to the installation of 406 EV charging ports, including 334 Level 2 ports and 72 DC Fast Charging ports. Additionally, up to 50 curbside charging ports are planned for the city of Columbus. The project is predicted to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 4,000 tons.

MORPC said that approximately 84% of the charging stations will be installed in disadvantaged communities, defined by factors like low-income, minority populations, and age demographics.

“We are committed to creating an environment for prosperity in central Ohio, and this grant is a critical step toward that vision,” MORPC’s executive director William Murdock said in the prepared release.

"This grant will allow us to make significant strides in ensuring that all communities all around the region, especially rural and historically underserved communities, have access to the infrastructure necessary for the future of transportation," Murdock said. "By expanding access to EV infrastructure, we’re reducing emissions and building the resilient, sustainable communities that are essential for our region’s future.”

smeighan@dispatch.com

@ShahidMeighan

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: MORPC gets $15 million to install more electric vehicle charging stations in central Ohio