27 new EV fast charging stations to be built along Ohio interstates

Jul. 14—Four of the 27 new electric vehicle fast charging stations along Ohio interstates will be in Butler, Miami, Preble and Warren counties.

Ohio is the first state in the country to announce charging station sites to be developed as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, Gov. Mike DeWine said Thursday.

"This is an exciting time for Ohio as we continue to lead the charge in electric mobility," DeWine said. "As more Ohioans purchase EVs, this statewide network of chargers will ensure that our transportation infrastructure is prepared to accommodate these drivers, as well as visitors who travel to Ohio to see all that our great state has to offer."

The state will award more than $18 million in program funds for the 27 fast charging stations along seven of Ohio's interstate corridors, including interstates 70 and 75, DeWine said.

DriveOhio, a division of ODOT, will oversee the implementation of the new charging stations, which are expected to be in operation in 2024.

Funds will be matched with nearly $6 million from the private entities selected to install and operate the new EV fast charging stations, including Pilot Travel Centers, Meijer Stores, EVgo Services, Equilon/Shell, TH Midwest, Francis Energy and ChargeNet Stations.

Following are the four regional locations: — Butler County: I-75, Exit 22, Tylersville Road in West Chester Twp. at Meijer in cooperation with EVGo/Delta Electronics. Award is $751,493. — Miami County: I-75, Exit 74, at state Route 41 (Main Street) in Troy at Meijer with EVGo/Delta Electronics. Award is $737,883. — Preble County: I-70, Exit 10, at U.S. 127 near Lewisburg at Pilot Travel Center with EVGo/Delta Electronics. Award is $656,177. — Warren County; I-75, Exit 36, at state Route 123 in Franklin at Pilot Travel Center with EVGo/Delta Electronics. Award is $670,341.

"As the mix of automobiles on the road changes, we must adapt our infrastructure, and EV charging stations are a part of improving customer service for Ohio drivers and businesses," said Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. "The automobile industry is a proud part of our history, and with new investments in battery plants and EVs, the auto industry can be a source of jobs and prosperity for our future."

This fall, ODOT will issue its second request for proposals to install an additional 16 charging stations along Ohio's major U.S. and state routes.

The new fast charging stations will join 13 pre-existing federally compliant charging stations in Ohio, one of which is just off I-70 at Brandt Pike in Huber Heights.

Most of the 27 new locations announced this week are away from the heart of Ohio's biggest cities, as those areas already have larger numbers of existing chargers.

"Our strategy throughout this process has been intentional. Each location was bid as a separate project to give Ohio a competitive advantage, stretching every dollar available to us," Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jack Marchbanks said. "We're just getting started. We anticipate significant funding left over after the first two rounds that can be used to further cement Ohio's place in this transportation revolution."

There are about 53,000 registered electric vehicles in Ohio, with that number expected to significantly increase in coming years, according to DeWine's office.

Thursday's announcement of 27 sites for new DC fast charging stations is "an important step to support the next generation of Ohio's highway infrastructure," according to Jacob Schwemlein, director of Drive Electric Ohio, a statewide initiative of Clean Fuels Ohio.

"Governor DeWine, the Ohio Department of Transportation and the team at DriveOhio have put together a strong NEVI plan, and these new charging sites will help EV owners better navigate the state and put Ohio on the map as a leader in electric mobility efforts," Schwemlein told this news outlet Friday. "We're looking forward to seeing how Ohio will build on this announcement with more EV wins in the future to advance equitable EV adoption."

Drive Electric Dayton President Rap Hankins said members of his organization are "very pleased" about the charging stations.

"One of the benefits of this is (that) most of the places that they chose already are standing gas stations," he said. "I don't think it's difficult to drive an electric vehicle in Ohio now ... but I think that once we put these chargers in every 50 miles it's going to make it a dream to drive electric vehicles in Ohio."