Ohio pushes ahead with electric vehicle charging stations

Ohio plans to build two dozen fast electric vehicle charging stations after it became the first state to open a charger funded by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.

The announcements come as car dealers across the country told President Joe Biden electric vehicles continue to stack up on car lots, as previously reported by The Center Square.

The letter, signed by 4,000 dealerships nationwide and 131 in Ohio, said demand for EVs has cooled nationwide and incentives are not helping to clear inventory.

"BEVs are stacking up on our lots," the auto dealers stated in the letter, referring to battery electric vehicles. "Last year, there was a lot of hope and hype about EVs. Early adopters formed an initial line and were ready to buy these vehicles as soon as we had them to sell. But that enthusiasm has stalled. Today, the supply of unsold BEVs is surging, as they are not selling nearly as fast as they are arriving at our dealerships – even with deep price cuts, manufacturer incentives, and generous government incentives."

Like other states, Ohio does not offer significant incentives to buy electric vehicles. No state-level tax credits are available, and EV buyers must pay a $200 registration fee compared to the $100 owners of standard hybrids pay.

Despite the growing dealership inventory and less than 1% of the total vehicle registrations in the state being electric, Ohio continues to move forward with charging station construction.

Last week, the state became the first in the nation to activate a NEVI charger just west of Columbus on I-70.

“Any industry that focuses on innovations for the future is a priority for Ohio," Gov. Mike DeWine said. "Electric vehicles are the future of transportation, and we want drivers in Ohio to have access to this technology today."

The next step is the construction of two dozen fast-charging stations across the state that are expected to be operational by the end of 2024. That money will also come from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.

“For years, our team has trailblazed the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure, becoming a model for other states implementing the NEVI program,” Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jack Marchbanks said. “America’s first new charging station puts us one step closer to making travel easier for EV drivers.”