Ohio Approves $100 Million for EV Charging

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced in a press release that the state will receive approximately $100 million to develop an electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure over the next five years.  

DriveOhio, a division of ODOT, will help with the development and is already accepting proposals from EV infrastructure companies.  

DriveOhio states the proposals must align with Ohio's EV Infrastructure Deployment plan. The charging stations need to support at least four direct current fast chargers with at least 150 kilowatts per port that will focus on interstate corridors.  

Once the interstate corridors are completed, the next task is adding EV charging infrastructures to state tourist attractions, freight corridors, and any additional corridors.  

Proposals can be submitted to ODOT until December 21, 2022. 

In a press release, Lt. Governor Husted said, “This investment gives Ohio another opportunity to compete for the future of the auto industry. Leading in the automotive sector has been a priority for Ohio for quite some time, and as part of that goal, we’ll continue to work towards building up the EV workforce, so that businesses have access to talent, and Ohioans can secure a career in a new, innovative industry right here in our state.” 

Ohio Progresses Toward an Electric Future 

To push America toward vehicle electrification, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Law Infrastructure Formula Program allows states to submit an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan to receive funding for infrastructures.  

Ohio Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan was created in August 2022. The plan is to install charging stations approximately every 50 miles on interstates across Ohio.  

Once the interstates are fully built-out, funding will then go toward EV chargers along U.S. and state routes, with a statewide goal to create a reliable charging network for EV drivers over the next five years. 

The state will receive $20.7 million annually over the next five years to create the EV charging network across the state.