The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is supercharging the future of freight transportation with a massive $248.9 million investment, aimed at electrifying the Interstate 95 corridor. This ambitious plan will bring 24 electric truck charging sites for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to four East Coast states, transforming one of the nation’s busiest freight routes.
The lucky recipients of this eco-friendly initiative (Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey) got the exciting news back in July. And on October 23, Lisa Garcia, the EPA’s Region 2 administrator, called the federal grant “a pivotal investment” in cutting emissions, creating jobs, and boosting the health of communities along I-95. With ports, people, and freight hubs, the corridor was a natural choice for this major green upgrade.
The I-95 is a vital artery for freight from 15 of the country’s largest ports, so it makes sense that the federal government is laser-focused on reducing emissions in these high-traffic
zones. The funding will help roll out charging infrastructure that includes 138 ultra-fast charging ports (with 1-megawatt power), 164 fast-charging ports (350 kW), and 148 overnight ports (150 kW) to keep trucks charged and moving.
The U.S. Department of Energy says that fast-charging stations will give EVs 100 to 200 miles of range with just 30 minutes of charging time. Specs for the ultra-fast charging ports are still under wraps.
This game-changing grant is coming from the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program, which doles out around $5 billion annually to state and local governments, tribes, and territories for air pollution reduction efforts. The Clean Corridor Coalition, led by New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection, is spearheading the project, with partners like Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Delaware’s DOT, and Maryland’s Department of the Environment.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy couldn’t be prouder of this green initiative, saying, “Expanding our charging infrastructure for medium and heavy-duty vehicles is key to lowering emissions and improving air quality in our communities.”
The project will also pave the way for a trained workforce of 400 people to build, operate, and maintain the new EV infrastructure.
New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection confirmed a purchase order for a third-party grant administrator in January, in which site selection, project design, and public input will take place throughout 2025, with the first round of proposals and developer agreements scheduled for 2026.
