Gov. Beshear Announces More Awards as State Builds Out Electric Vehicle Charging Network

Private developers will design, build, operate and maintain 42 ‘fast chargers’ for public use

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 23, 2024) – Solidifying Kentucky’s position as a leader in the fast-growing electric vehicle sector, Gov. Andy Beshear today announced the state has completed its third round of awards to private developers to build an additional 18 federally funded electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

Eight developers were selected to build public charging stations within identified zones along Kentucky’s interstates and parkways designated as Alternative Fuel Corridors. These developers are collectively eligible to receive up to $11.8 million in requested funding through the National Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Formula Program.

Combined with the first two rounds of awards announced late last year, Kentucky has now approved 42 charging stations from 11 developers for a total of $27.2 million in federal formula funds.

“Kentucky is leading the way as we build out a reliable and convenient electric vehicle charging network for the drivers who live here and for those who come to visit our great state,” said Gov. Beshear. “With these new awardees, our EV Charging Program will add a total of 42 new fast charging stations along Kentucky’s interstates and parkways.”

This round of awards funds new chargers across Kentucky, in cities including Bardstown, Bowling Green, Cadiz, Campton, Central City, Crestview Hills, Elizabethtown, Frankfort, Glasgow, Hazard, Louisville, Midway, Morehead, Morgantown, Salyersville and Shepherdsville. Thanks to competitive cost proposals, three additional sites were selected surpassing the initial goal to fund up to 40 sites during this phase of the initiative.

Each station must have at least four charging ports of 150 kilowatts each, be accessible to the public 24 hours a day/seven days a week and work with most EV models. Amenities such as restrooms and locations to purchase food and beverages are included at station locations.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) issued its second Request for Proposals in February, with proposals due by mid-April 2024. Those proposals were evaluated based on criteria established by the state. Selected developers are expected to enter contracts to carry out site acquisition, design, construction, operations and maintenance of the charging stations according to the requirements of the federal program. The state will not develop, own, operate or maintain the charging stations. Each developer is required to maintain the operation of the charging stations for at least five years.

The Kentucky EV charging program is a joint initiative of KYTC, the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, the Public Service Commission and the Federal Highway Administration.

Visit EVCharging.ky.gov for more information about the program.

Today’s announcement furthers electric vehicle momentum in the commonwealth.

The Governor has secured the two largest economic development projects in state history. In September 2021, Gov. Beshear and leaders from Ford Motor Co. and SK On celebrated a transformative $5.8 billion investment that will create 5,000 jobs in Hardin County. In April 2022, the Governor was joined by leadership at AESC to announce a $2 billion investment that will create 2,000 jobs in Warren County. These announcements solidify Kentucky as the EV battery production capital of the United States.

That position was strengthened even further in May 2023, when the Governor and leaders at Toyota announced a $591 million investment across multiple projects as the company’s largest manufacturing operation in Georgetown introduced its first battery electric vehicle. Growth within the EV sector continued into June as Gov. Beshear joined INFAC North America to break ground on the company’s $53 million investment to support EV-related production in Campbellsville.

Since June 2020, the EV battery economic development projects secured by Gov. Beshear total $11.7 billion and are expected to create 10,250 full-time jobs.