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In 2024, Pennsylvania reached a crossroads in addressing the growing demand for clean energy, EVs, and power grid reliability. Despite increasing public concern about environmental issues, legislative action in the state was hindered by partisan gridlock in the General Assembly. How the incoming Trump administration’s energy policies will impact Pennsylvania’s environmental and energy goals remains unclear.
While Pennsylvanians care deeply about the environment, a recent poll reveals that their top concerns are energy affordability and reliability—a trend mirrored in many other states.
The state’s EV adoption rates continue to lag due to high vehicle costs, range anxiety, and insufficient charging infrastructure. As of December 2023, Pennsylvania had approximately 47,361 registered all-electric vehicles.
Recent developments include the construction of new federally funded EV charging stations, supported by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Over the five years of the NEVI Formula Program, Pennsylvania will receive $171.5 million in dedicated formula funding.
Nationally, EV adoption has faced significant headwinds. Robert Charette, author of The EV Transition Explained, predicts that 2025 will be a critical year for the EV industry, with significant policy shifts potentially reshaping the landscape. He anticipates widespread disruptions across the EV supply chain, including mergers, buyouts, and bankruptcies among manufacturers, suppliers, and recyclers. Charette warns that EV sales would dramatically decline without federal and state incentives.
Pennsylvania is not alone in grappling with EV adoption challenges. States like Michigan and Ohio have also struggled to balance the push for clean energy with concerns about affordability and infrastructure. Michigan, for example, has invested heavily in battery manufacturing but faces similar issues with charging access in rural areas. Meanwhile, California—a leader in EV policy—has adopted stringent mandates through the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which other states, including Pennsylvania, have partially emulated. These mandates aim to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 but have sparked debates over feasibility and consumer readiness.
In July, Pennsylvania passed a law imposing a $200 fee on EV registrations starting in 2025, which will increase to $286 by 2030. Sponsored by Sen. Greg Rothman (R-Shippensburg), the legislation aims to fund the state’s infrastructure maintenance, particularly roads and bridges, ranked among the nation’s worst. The bill replaces the alternative fuels tax on at-home EV charging, which generated nearly $778,000 in 2023. According to the House Appropriations Committee, the new fees are projected to generate $16.1 million in 2025 and up to $28.8 million by 2030.
One of the significant hurdles in EV adoption is the lack of charging infrastructure for renters. Studies show that homeowners are six times more likely to purchase EVs than renters, primarily due to the convenience of at-home charging. This disparity perpetuates a cycle: renters avoid EVs due to inadequate charging options, while property owners hesitate to invest in infrastructure because of low demand. Similar challenges exist in New York, where state programs target multiunit dwellings to increase EV accessibility.
An EV’s battery is its power source and its most expensive component. Concerns about battery longevity, warranty coverage, and resale value continue to dampen consumer enthusiasm. Charette highlights that consumers purchase EVs without sufficient historical data on battery reliability, leading to potential financial risks. The cost to replace an EV battery can range from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the model—a price that may exceed the vehicle’s value as it ages.
Despite over $3 billion in federal investments to bolster the EV battery market, the U.S. faces significant hurdles. Issues such as domestic mining shortages, skills gaps, and a lack of standardization have hindered progress. Pennsylvania’s neighbors, including New Jersey and Maryland, have invested in battery recycling initiatives to address environmental concerns and reduce reliance on imported materials. These states’ efforts could serve as models for Pennsylvania to improve its own EV ecosystem.
Pennsylvania’s clean energy transition challenges reflect broader national and global trends. As the state seeks to balance affordability, reliability, and sustainability, collaboration with other states and alignment with federal policies will be essential. By addressing these systemic barriers and investing in infrastructure and incentives, Pennsylvania has the potential to emerge as a leader in the clean energy revolution.
