$2.4 million grant to help Pittsburgh install electric vehicle charging stations

The city of Pittsburgh plans to install dozens of new electric vehicle charging stations through nearly $2.4 million federal grant.

Officials on Wednesday announced Pittsburgh will receive money from the U.S. Department of Transportation to bolster public access to electric vehicle charging sites throughout city parks, parking garages and curbside locations.

A total of 16 new charging ports are set to be installed at Banksville Park in the city’s Banksville neighborhood, Moore Park in Brookline, McKinley Park Recreation and Senior Center in Beltzhoover and the Pittsburgh Biddle Building at Frick Park in Regent Square.

The Pittsburgh Parking Authority will team up with the city to add 36 new charging sites at public parking facilities. Their work also will include expanding surface parking lot charging and developing a Second Avenue Charging Hub that will provide fast charging capabilities.

City officials also pan to install electric vehicle charging stations curbside in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, Friendship, Perry North, Oakland West, Squirrel Hill, Oakland Central, Garfield, South Side, Lawrenceville, Central North Side, Hazelwood and Highland Park neighborhoods. Those locations, officials said, could change depending on community feedback and feasibility.

The city’s vehicle fleet includes 88 electric vehicles and 78 chargers, Mayor Ed Gainey said in a statement.

A spokeswoman for Gainey could not provide data on how many electric vehicles Pittsburgh residents own.

The federal grant is matched by $470,000 in funding from Duquesne Light Company and in-kind services from the city worth $38,000.