EPA Issues $14.3M Grant for EV Chargers to Delaware

The Environmental Protection Agency recently issued a $14.3 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant or CPRG to Delaware to build medium and heavy-duty electric vehicle (EV) recharging infrastructure along the stretch of Interstate 95 within its borders

[Above photo of Nicole Majeski, Delaware DOT secretary, by the Delaware DOT]

The grant also helps support broader efforts by the Clean Corridor Coalition to provide more EV recharging options along segments of the I-95 highway corridor, which stretches from Maine to Florida.

Under the CPRG program, the Clean Corridor Coalition – a quarter billion-dollar project which includes Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware – is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from gasoline and diesel fuel by deploying EV charging infrastructure for commercial zero-emission medium-and heavy-duty vehicles.

The four-state coalition will collaborate to provide technical assistance in developing charging sites and provide workforce training and support services, conduct meaningful community engagement, and enable planning by states and stakeholders along the corridor, the EPA said.

EPA’s Adam Ortiz. Photo by Delaware DOT.

“This investment is a critical down payment for zero-emission freight movement in participating states,” said Adam Ortiz, EPA’s administrator for the Mid-Atlantic region, in a statement.

“The Clean Corridor Coalition project plans to support the construction of 20 freight truck electric charging sites, including nearly 150 charging ports for overnight use, and over 300 fast or ultra-fast charging ports to advance electrification of a national priority freight corridor,” he added. “The project also aims to enhance workforce development through a program to train 400 individuals from low income and disadvantaged communities in the construction, operation, and maintenance of this new clean infrastructure.”

“By adding charging stations along I-95, we’re helping reduce pollution and better the air quality, while also supporting the freight industry; two things we all rely on,” noted Nicole Majeski, secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation. “We are excited to work with our neighboring states and look forward to seeing the benefits of this project.”

Authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA said its CPRG program will provide nearly $5 billion in grants for states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement greenhouse gas emission reduction plans while benefitting low-income and disadvantaged communities.