Pennsylvania's Turnpike Just Got a Major Upgrade: First Federally Funded EV Chargers Open
The Pennsylvania Turnpike has just unveiled its first federally funded electric vehicle (EV) charging station, marking a significant milestone in the state's efforts to facilitate long-distance EV travel. This new station, located at the Blue Mountain Service Plaza near Exit 202 westbound, is a crucial step towards making EV travel more accessible and convenient across Pennsylvania.
Another NEVI-funded site at the New Stanton Service Plaza (Exit 77 westbound) is set to open next week, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). These chargers were installed using funds from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which aims to provide fast and reliable charging stations at existing driver stops, particularly along busy highway routes.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike, being one of the state's busiest roads, especially during holidays, makes service plazas an ideal location for en-route EV charging. This first Turnpike site signifies the beginning of NEVI-funded charging directly on the state's toll road. The Blue Mountain and New Stanton locations are part of a larger, system-wide EV charging rollout, with plans to install 80 new universal EV charging stations across all 17 service plazas by the end of 2027, in collaboration with Applegreen Electric.
In addition to the NEVI-funded sites, the Turnpike has already introduced new chargers at the North Somerset, South Somerset, and Hickory Run service plazas, funded by Pennsylvania's Driving PA Forward program. Each location offers high-speed charging with four ports per site, and all chargers are compatible with all EV models without the need for adapters.
The project was awarded under the first round of PennDOT's NEVI Alternative Fuel Corridor program. The next phase, known as Corridor Connections, aims to address charging gaps along major roadways not previously designated as alternative fuel corridors, making longer EV trips across Pennsylvania easier and more predictable.
This announcement comes at a time when Pennsylvania is pushing back against federal attempts to block EV funding. The US Department of Transportation is withholding congressionally approved funds that would support EV infrastructure projects and jobs in the state. Governor Josh Shapiro (D-PA) has sued the Trump administration over this move and, alongside 15 other states, successfully challenged an earlier attempt to derail the NEVI program. This legal victory has been instrumental in keeping projects like these Turnpike charging stations on track.
Electrek's Take
The Biden administration's NEVI program has achieved its goal by placing fast and reliable charging stations at existing driver stops. Service plazas on major turnpikes are prime locations for EV charging, especially during holiday and long-distance travel. Pennsylvania's rollout is still in its early stages, but with chargers available at all 17 plazas, assuming federal funding remains stable, one of the Northeast's busiest corridors will become an excellent destination for EV road trips.
Read more: PA Turnpike to Add 80 New Applegreen DC Fast Chargers by 2027 (https://electrek.co/2025/08/21/pa-turnpike-80-new-applegreen-dc-fast-chargers-2027/)
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