Conklin, Takac announce more than $3 million in funding for EVs, infrastructure
Rep. Scott Conklin January 10, 2024 | 2:01 PM
STATE COLLEGE, Jan. 10 – Reps. Scott Conklin, and Paul Takac, both D-Centre, announced more than $3 million to provide for electric vehicles and infrastructure at the Pennsylvania State University.
The Department of Environmental Protection awarded $3,305,011 from the Medium and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle Fleet Pilot Grant Program to replace five Class 6 and Class 7 box trucks with battery electric vehicles, install four DC fast EV chargers, and one Level 2 EV charging plug at three locations across Penn State’s campus.
“By providing infrastructure for EVs, we make EVs more accessible for rural Pennsylvanians, but also to those who travel through central Pennsylvania so they may charge their vehicles,” Conklin said. “Rural areas cover 97% of the country’s land and with the lack of EV charging stations in rural Pennsylvania, it poses a barrier for rural Pennsylvanians and travelers with EVs. Through this funding, we will address this barrier by building up infrastructure at one of Pennsylvania’s largest universities.”
“I am excited to announce this multi-million grant award to help support Penn State’s efforts to transition to electric vehicles in order to reduce their impact on the environment, while also saving money,” Takac said. “Sustainability and environmental responsibility are critical to the future of our Commonwealth and our world. As Pennsylvania’s land grant institution, Penn State’s commitment and leadership on this issue are critically important.”
“More so, by transitioning Penn State’s fleet to EVs, we help decrease emissions in Centre County, making Pennsylvania’s fleets closer to achieving zero emissions,” Conklin noted.
Building off the success of the Driving PA Forward Initiative, MHD-ZEV works to replace diesel-powered fleets with fleets that produce zero emissions.