Charging stations planned along interstates in Erie and Crawford counties

New charging stations for electric vehicles are planned along Interstate 90 in Erie County and Interstate 79 in Crawford County.

Four charging ports will be installed at TravelCenters of America on Depot Road, at the Harborcreek/Phillipsville exit of I-90, and at Giant Eagle, 18511 Smock Highway, at the Meadville exit of I-79.

A $1.1 million award for the Erie County project and a $211,165 award for the Crawford County project will come from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The legislation is providing $171.5 million over five years to Pennsylvania as part of a plan to expand access to electric vehicle charging nationwide.

The local stations are among 54 in 35 Pennsylvania counties that will share $33.8 million in first-round funding announced Monday.

Interstates 90 and 79 are among highways nationwide identified for the build-out of charging stations. The goal is to have charging stations within 50 miles of each other and no more than a mile from an exit along the nation's most-traveled roads.

Charging stations afterward will be installed along secondary roads.

"This funding will allow us to deploy electric vehicle charging stations across our Commonwealth, from cities to suburbs to rural areas, promoting energy security, creating jobs and reducing our carbon footprint," Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, said.

Businesses hosting the charging stations, including TA Operating LLC in Erie County and Tesla Inc. in Crawford County, must provide a 20% funding match.

Some projects could begin late this year, following environmental impact assessment.

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Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@timesnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: EVs will be able to get a charge at stations along Erie area highways