LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky took steps to expand its electric vehicle network on Monday, breaking ground on a new fast charging station in Central Kentucky.
According to a news release, the station will be at the Circle K off I-75 in Richmond, and is the first of what's expected to be 40 fast charging stations along Kentucky's interstates and parkways.
“We are already the EV battery production capital of the United States,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “To make sure Kentucky keeps leading the way, we’re building out our EV infrastructure so our families can charge up as they travel our great state.”
State leaders said they've already selected 24 other sites, all of which should break ground this year.
"So I wanna congratulate Circle K and all of Richmond in being the leader and the pioneer for these stations and I know I speak for everyone that I can't wait until we break ground for the second, third, fourth, fifth, all the way up to the fortieth," Beshear said.
This station will also be the first fast charging station built in the southeast using federal funds from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program according to the release.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray said the number of registered electric vehicles continues to grow in Kentucky.
"We want to ensure current and future owners have a reliable network of charging stations to support long-distance EV travel,” he said.
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