The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission has received a $15 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration to expand electric vehicle infrastructure in central Ohio, the commission announced Thursday.
The federal grant is earmarked for MORPC’s Mid-Ohio Regional Equity for Electric Vehicle Stations (MORE EVS) project and will facilitate the expansion of electric vehicle charging stations at 62 locations in 13 counties, with a focus on underserved urban and rural areas. The overall goal is to increase accessibility to charging stations, reduce carbon emissions and support Central Ohio’s transition to sustainable transportation, MORPC said.
The MORE EVS project, a partnership of 32 organizations including nonprofits, local governments and state agencies, will result in the installation of 406 EV charging ports, including 334 Level 2 ports and 72 DC Fast Charging ports. Additionally, up to 50 curbside charging ports are planned for the City of Columbus. The project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 4,000 metric tons.
According to MORPC, approximately 84% of charging stations will be installed in underserved communities, which are determined by factors such as low income, minority populations and age demographics.
“We are committed to creating an environment for prosperity in central Ohio, and this grant is a critical step toward that vision,” said William Murdock, MORPC Executive Director, in the prepared press release.
“This grant will allow us to take major steps to ensure that all communities in the region, especially rural and historically underserved communities, have access to the infrastructure needed for the future of transportation,” Murdock said. “By expanding access to EV infrastructure, we reduce emissions and build resilient, sustainable communities that are essential to the future of our region.”
smeighan@dispatch.com
@ShahidMeighan
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: MORPC Gets $15 Million to Expand Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
