Kentucky Breaks Ground on EV Charging Stations

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A ground-breaking ceremony was recently held in Richmond, Kentucky, marking the construction of the state’s first electric vehicle (EV) fast charging station. This project is funded by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program, which provides federal funds for the development of EV charging infrastructure.

Circle K, a prominent convenience store chain, has been awarded $536,600 towards the total project cost of $670,750. They will own and operate two charging stations, one in Richmond and another in Berea. The station in Richmond will initially have standard Combined Charging System 1 connectors, with North American Charging Standard connectors to be added later this year. It will feature four ABB E-mobility 180 kilowatt fast chargers capable of recharging a typical EV in under 20 minutes.

Kentucky is set to receive nearly $70 million from the NEVI Program. To qualify for the funding, developers are required to contribute at least 20 percent of the construction and operational costs for the first five years. Additionally, these charging stations must be open to the public 24/7.

The state has selected seven developers to install chargers at 24 locations, most of which are situated along Alternative Fuel Corridors. The awarded amount for these installations is $15.4 million. Furthermore, a second request for proposals has been issued to fund an additional 16 charging stations. Private developers are invited to submit bids for designing, building, owning, operating, and maintaining these stations for five years following their completion.

Kentucky’s commitment to expanding its EV charging infrastructure is a significant step towards a greener transportation future. Visit Business Today to stay updated on the latest developments in finance and economics.