Opening demonstrates importance of building out reliable statewide network
Gov. Andy Beshear announced the opening of the second electric vehicle (EV) fast charging station, located at the Circle K in Berea. Through Friday, Feb. 14, drivers can enjoy free charging at the Berea location via the Circle K Charge App.
The station is supported by federal funds and part of Kentucky’s EV Charging Program, which is expanding the network of EV chargers across the state.
“There is no uncertainty about the progress Team Kentucky is making in building out a reliable, accessible, convenient and affordable EV charging network,” said Gov. Beshear. “We must ensure that those who live in our commonwealth and those who visit our New Kentucky Home can travel our state with confidence and ease. A reliable EV charging network supports the economic and job growth we are seeing all across Kentucky.”
To access free charging, after downloading and opening the app, customers can search for and select the location, charger and port, connect the charging cable to the car, then swipe on the app to initiate the charge. The app will request card payment information, but no charge will be made during the promotion period.
The Berea site has four ABB E-Mobility 180-kilowatt fast chargers. Each can charge a typical EV in about 20 minutes. The new Berea charging station is one of two approved sites that Circle K owns and operates in Kentucky. The first opened in September in Richmond. Both sites offer standard Combined Charging System 1 and North American Charging Standard connectors.
The opening of the second federally funded NEVI (National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure) site demonstrates the progress Team Kentucky’s EV Charging Program is making to build out its part of a national EV charging network.
“As we open our second EV fast charging site in the commonwealth of Kentucky in Berea, we are grateful once again to Gov. Beshear and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for their continued support through the NEVI program,” said Nathan Woodland, interim vice president of operations for the Circle K Midwest Business Unit. “With our coast-to-coast presence along key travel corridors, Circle K is well suited to serve EV drivers, and partnerships such as these are helping to accelerate our efforts to expand fast charging services across our network and pursue our vision to be the world’s preferred destination for convenience and mobility.”
The Berea site was approved in October 2023 and awarded more than $537,000 through the EV Charging Program for the project. Major construction at the site was completed early this year.
Kentucky’s EV Network
The NEVI program launched in February 2022, providing $5 billion over five years to help states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico create a network of EV charging stations with an emphasis on building the infrastructure along interstate highway corridors.
Kentucky has awarded 48 fast charging stations from 11 developers for $32.9 million in federal formula funds to date. The sites are along the state’s interstates and parkways. Each station must have at least four charging ports of 150 kilowatts or more, be accessible to the public 24 hours a day/seven days a week and work with most EV models.
The total anticipated investment in Kentucky is $87 million, which includes $70 million in NEVI federal funds and $17 million in matching private funds.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) will not develop, own, operate or maintain the charging stations. Each developer must fund at least 20% of the construction and operational costs and is required to maintain the operation of the charging stations for at least five years.
More than $11.7 billion in EV-related investments have been announced in Kentucky since June 2020, with more than 10,000 jobs created.
Visit EVCharging.ky.gov for more information about the program.
For more information about EV charging at Circle K, customers can visit www.circlek.com/charge.
Contact:
Crystal Staley
502-545-3714
Crystal.Staley@ky.gov
James Hatchett
502-330-1722
James.Hatchett@ky.gov
