The Pennsylvania Turnpike has just added two new Applegreen DC fast charging stations, providing a boost to EV drivers traveling along the 360-mile toll road that connects Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia. These new 400 kW charging stations are located at the North Somerset (MP 112.3 westbound) and South Somerset (MP 112.3 eastbound) Service Plazas, with two DC fast chargers at each site for a total of four charging ports. Each plaza has two NACS and two CCS plugs, with the potential for expansion in the future.
This expansion of EV charging infrastructure on the Pennsylvania Turnpike is part of a larger effort to support the growing number of electric vehicles on the road. Since plugging in its first EV charger in April 2014, the Pennsylvania Turnpike now boasts over 60 charging stations at eight of its service plazas. Thanks to a partnership with Applegreen Electric, an additional 80 universal EV chargers are in the works, with plans to have DC fast chargers at all 17 service plazas by 2027.
Funding for the new EV chargers at the North Somerset and South Somerset Service Plazas, as well as the upcoming charger at the Hickory Run Service Plaza, comes from grants through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Driving PA Forward program. The chargers set to open in 2027 at nine service plazas are being funded by grants from the Biden administration’s federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.
Applegreen Electric’s chief executive, Eugene Moore, highlighted the importance of the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s fast charger rollout in creating a connected corridor for EV drivers. The expansion of EV infrastructure in Pennsylvania is part of a larger regional network that includes New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Delaware, with plans for future expansion into Ohio and Massachusetts.
In addition to its work in Pennsylvania, Applegreen Electric is also deploying fast chargers on the New Jersey Turnpike, where it has an exclusive agreement, taking over from Tesla. This partnership with Applegreen Electric is part of a broader effort to create a seamless network of EV charging stations across the region, making it easier for EV drivers to travel long distances without worrying about running out of charge.
Overall, the addition of these new Applegreen DC fast charging stations on the Pennsylvania Turnpike represents a significant step forward in supporting the growing number of electric vehicles on the road. With more charging infrastructure in place, EV drivers can feel confident in their ability to travel long distances and rely on a network of reliable, accessible charging stations.
