The D.C. Department of Energy and Environment said it has started work to repair and upgrade an inoperable electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Ward 7 that, once fixed, will have a higher charging capacity and be available to the public 24/7.
The charging station, located at 3355a Benning Road NE near I-295, will add four high-capacity, fast-charging ports that will more than triple the speed of the vehicle charging compared to previous output.
The EV station repair is being paid for by the Federal Highway Administration’s EV Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator Program.
The project is part of the department’s partnership with taxicab operator Transco Inc.
“It’s an honor to celebrate our shared commitment to the Biden-Harris administration’s climate goals with today’s groundbreaking of the District of Columbia’s EV Charging Station at Benning Road,” said FHA Deputy Administrator Kristin White. “Thanks to funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this project serves as a great example of how our continued investment is ensuring the charger network is reliable and accessible.”
To complete the project, the department will also use existing funds allocated by Pepco and approved by the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia. Pepco’s transportation electrification program will fund the completion of pre-installation electrical work to provide a safe and reliable delivery of electricity to the charging station.
“This is a great step toward the Bowser administration’s goal of a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable District of Columbia,” said department Director Richard Jackson. “We are proud to be a part of this project and look forward to seeing how the city is positively impacted.”
By adding new EV charging capacity, the project helps support a goal of the District’s Transportation Electrification Roadmap for 25% of D.C.-registered vehicles to be EVs by 2030.
For more information, go to https://doee.dc.gov/.
