Preeti Choudhary is executive director of DriveOhio, an Ohio Department of Transportation initiative that serves as the state’s hub for ground and air mobility technology.
JD Pulley | Sentinel Tribune
PERRYSBURG — At the 2023 General Assembly on Friday, a planned national network of electric vehicle chargers was presented to the Toledo Metropolitan Government Council.
The event, held at the Hilton Garden Inn at Levi’s Commons, was delivered by Dr. Preeti Choudhary, Executive Director of Drive Ohio. She spoke about investing in electric vehicle infrastructure that will come to Ohio using funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act.
“With the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, they have freed up billions of dollars to fund a baseline network of EV infrastructure across the country. is responsible for implementing it nationwide,” said Choudhary.
She said $7.5 billion is coming from the electric vehicle charging program. Of these funds, $5 billion will go to the National EV Infrastructure Formula Program, which will provide Ohio with $20.7 million annually over the next five years.
The first phase of the plan will focus on alternative fuel corridors along interstate highways.
Priority is given to 30 electric vehicle long-distance charging stations spaced 50 miles apart. In the second phase, stations will be placed on US and state routes. Future phases will be determined by state and local priorities.
Each station has 4 ports for charging with DC fast chargers and is fully charged in 20 minutes. Stations are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in a format consistent from state to state, comparable to filling a car with gasoline.
“The experience should be like refueling a car by any other means. It will be comfortable, publicly accessible, amenity provided and well lit.” said Choudhary.
She said automakers are now pushing for electrification.
“This is a big step toward removing the barrier of long-distance anxiety that comes with EV driving. We can increase our hiring year-on-year,” Choudhary said.
The bidding amount will be decided in March, and construction is scheduled to start in May. The station he should have installed by May 2024.
In other projects, TMACOG members held caucuses to discuss local issues.
TMACOG President Tim Brown said the proposed US 23 improvements to Columbus were outstanding.
“Nearly every breakout, village, township, education — all of them — was talking about the very important issue of our connectivity to the interior of the state. Growth in Delaware County North of Columbus We don’t hold a grudge against , but with each new development and another new stop sign and traffic light, it reduces freight lanes and connectivity,” Brown said.
Further complicating the situation on Highway 23 is the Canadian government’s investment in the construction of the new Gordy Howe Bridge, he said. This will connect Windsor and Detroit, Canada, and allow for additional freight capacity from ports in Carolina through northwest Ohio to Canada.
“Our area is exploding with additional freight capacity. It’s an aorta that’s clogged with 38 traffic lights, unlike,” Brown said.
Bowling Green Mayor Mike Aspacher was elected TMACOG Chair, and Perrysburg Mayor Tom McKin was elected Vice Chair.
“There has been a lot of debate about the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and what opportunities it will create for our communities. “We stand to benefit from this truly historic opportunity,” Asperture said in a follow-up interview. It’s really important to me to do what I can to be able to get
Mr. McKinn has submitted a report for the city caucuses, recalling some of the ideas discussed at that meeting, and would like to use this opportunity to work with TMACOG members to bring them to life.
“If we work together more, there’s a lot of access to funding at the state and national level that we can bring to the region and upstate Wood County,” McKinn said. “We also have ongoing efforts to bring Toledo, Perrysburg, and Columbus to life through railroad and he US 23 improvements that have a real negative impact on the region and our state.
Obstacles to economic development were also a concern for McKinn. He’s heard a lot of concern about state and local government funding and related regulations, and believes it’s a burden on cities that is passed on to residents and hurts small business owners.
“Seeing how the various issues work together makes it easier to one-stop shop for permits at the city and county level. Barriers to small businesses due to state and local requirements It’s that they don’t always work together, and when they work together, it makes it easier for small businesses to start their own businesses.”
At the township level, the new Perrysburg Township Administrator, John Eckel, participated in the township caucuses. Eckel was the former chairman of the Water Quality Council.
“I’ve been with TMACOG for 37 years. It’s about putting my ego at the door and working on the region as a region,” said Eckel. “At the township caucuses I signed as trustee and returned to the Water Quality Council as a township representative.”
