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June 14, 2024

CT takes step towards network of EV chargers on key highways

STEPHEN BUSEMEYER / CT MIRROR An electric vehicle charging station in Torrington.
By Mark Pazniokas, CT Mirror

Connecticut has selected applicants to install chargers for electric vehicles at nine locations just off interstate highways, part of what has been a painfully slow rollout of President Biden’s plan to build out a network of 500,000 chargers by 2030.

Two years after Congress allocated $7.5 billion to establish that network, only 7 EV charging stations were operational across four states as of March, according to the Washington Post.

The awards announced Thursday by the office of Gov. Ned Lamont are conditional, and the office acknowledged that the state had no applicants for three of the 12 priority zones designated as “alternative fuel corridors.”

No eligible applications were received for three zones — Route 7 in North Canaan, I-95 in Old Saybrook and I-95 in Norwalk — during the first phase of the solicitation. Another request for proposals will be made this year.

The state Department of Transportation is using nearly $52 million in funding from NEVI, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, that is available to Connecticut through the bipartisan federal infrastructure law.

Connecticut now has about 500 direct current fast charging ports, with nearly 44,000 electric vehicles registered. The federal program is geared to ensuring that EV drivers far from home will have the ability to charge their vehicles.

Each of the new sites will have charging stations with a minimum of four DC fast-charging ports. The charging stations will not be more than one mile from the exit ramps off the highways.

“These conditional awards are moving us closer to building more fast chargers across Connecticut,” said Garrett Eucalitto, the transportation commissioner.

The following locations were selected for conditional awards:

  • Danbury – I-84 Exit 5 (17 Thorpe St. Extension)
  • Hartford – I-91 Exit 33 (165 Leibert Road)
  • Meriden – I-91 Exit 16 Northbound (1101 East Main St.)
  • New Milford – Route 7 / Route 202 Intersection (61 Danbury Road)
  • Plainfield – I-395 Northbound Service Plaza (1 Connecticut Turnpike East)
  • Moosup – I-395 Exit 32 (12 South Main St.)
  • Putnam – I-395 / Route 44 Intersection (50 Providence Pike)
  • Waterbury – I-84 Exit 22 Westbound (105 Meriden Road)
  • Willington – I-84 Exit 71 (327 Ruby Road)

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