The push to expand the nation’s electric vehicle charging network continues, with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin announcing new funding for charging stations this week.

The two states are taking slightly different approaches, but the goal is similar: make it easier for EV drivers to find a place to charge, whether they are traveling across the state or stopping in their own communities.

Pennsylvania Opens $11 Million EV Charging Funding Round

Pennsylvania is putting $11 million in federal funding toward new public EV chargers in the central part of the state.

According to PennDOT, the funding is part of the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program’s Community Charging initiative. Central Pennsylvania is the third region in the state to receive funding through the program, following the Southeast and Western regions.

The funding is available for projects that add public charging at locations beyond the state’s major interstate corridors. PennDOT says the broader Community Charging effort will direct more than $100 million in federal funding toward public EV charging stations throughout Pennsylvania.

For drivers, that could mean more options closer to where they actually live, work and shop instead of having to rely primarily on charging stations along major highways.

The Central Pennsylvania funding round opened Sept. 8, with proposals due by March 12, 2027, according to PennDOT. The state expects to fund well over 100 projects through the four regional Community Charging rounds.

PennDOT also has some basic requirements for participating stations. According to the agency, each proposed station must have at least four charging ports, meet minimum power requirements and include at least two ADA-compliant parking spaces.

Pennsylvania has already made significant progress on its EV network. According to PennDOT, the state has more than 45 operational NEVI-funded charging stations, with 88 active projects across 46 counties.

Wisconsin Awards Funding for 42 New Charging Stations

Wisconsin is also adding to its charging network, with 42 locations selected to receive grants for new EV charging stations.

According to WSAW, the projects are being funded through Wisconsin’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (WEVI) Connecting Corridors Program and will be located along U.S. and state highway corridors that were not previously eligible for WEVI funding.

The state is putting $25 million behind the latest round of projects. According to Wisconsin officials, the new stations are intended to provide fast charging at locations that can serve both residents and travelers.

The locations include businesses such as convenience stores, hotels, restaurants and grocery stores. That could make charging less of a dedicated stop and more of something drivers can do while grabbing food, shopping or running another errand.

WisDOT considered several factors when selecting the projects. Those included location, potential for future development, parking spaces that can accommodate larger EVs and businesses with longer operating hours, according to WSAW.

The latest awards bring Wisconsin's total to about $62 million awarded through the program for 120 projects. According to WisDOT, 25 charging stations are currently operational, while the state has more than 43,200 registered EVs.

Sources: PennDOT, WSAW