Pennsylvania just opened its first federally funded EV charging station on the Pennsylvania Turnpike — a key step toward making long-distance EV travel easier across the state.

The new station just opened at the Blue Mountain Service Plaza at Exit 202 westbound. Another NEVI-funded site at the New Stanton Service Plaza (Exit 77 westbound) is expected to open next week, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

The chargers were built using funds from the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which is designed to install fast, reliable charging stations where drivers already stop — especially along busy highway corridors.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is one of the state’s most heavily traveled roads, particularly during holiday travel, making service plazas a natural location for en-route EV charging. This first Turnpike site marks the beginning of NEVI-funded charging directly on the state’s toll road.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

The Blue Mountain and New Stanton locations are part of the Turnpike’s larger, systemwide EV charging rollout. Working with Applegreen Electric, the Turnpike plans to install 80 new universal EV charging stations across all 17 service plazas by the end of 2027.

In addition to the NEVI-funded sites, the Turnpike has already brought new chargers online at the North Somerset, South Somerset, and Hickory Run service plazas using funding from Pennsylvania’s Driving PA Forward program. Each location offers high-speed charging with four ports per site, and all chargers are designed to work with all EV models without the need for adapters.

The project was awarded under the first round of PennDOT’s NEVI Alternative Fuel Corridor program. The next phase of funding, known as Corridor Connections, is focused on filling in charging gaps along major roadways that fall outside previously designated alternative fuel corridors. The goal is to make longer EV trips across Pennsylvania easier and more predictable.

The announcement also comes as Pennsylvania continues to push back against federal attempts to block EV funding. The US Department of Transportation is currently withholding congressionally approved money that would have supported EV infrastructure projects and jobs in the state. Governor Josh Shapiro (D-PA) sued the Trump administration over the move and, alongside 15 other states, successfully challenged an earlier attempt to derail the NEVI program. That legal fight helped keep projects like these Turnpike charging stations moving forward across the Commonwealth.

Electrek’s Take

This is precisely what the Biden administration’s NEVI program was meant to do: put fast, reliable charging stations where drivers already stop. Service plazas on major turnpikes are prime real estate for EV charging, particularly during holiday and long-distance travel. Pennsylvania’s rollout is still early days, but once chargers are live at all 17 plazas – assuming the federal funding spigot stays open – one of the Northeast’s busiest corridors is going to be a great place to road-trip in an EV.

Read more: PA Turnpike to add 80 new Applegreen DC fast chargers by 2027

Kia is set to unveil several new electric GT models at the Brussels Motor Show, including the EV3, EV4, and EV5. With its debut less than a month away, Kia’s sporty midsize electric SUV was spotted on the road, offering our closest look at it yet.

The Kia EV5 GT will debut at the Brussels Motor Show

The EV5 is already a pretty sleek-looking SUV with a boxy, upright design like Kia’s three-row EV9, but in a smaller package.

At the Brussels Motor Show next month, Kia will unveil the EV5 GT, a sportier, more powerful version of the midsize electric SUV.

Kia has yet to say when or where it will launch, but like the standard model, the GT variant is expected to arrive in Europe, the UK, Korea, and Canada sometime in 2026. It will follow the EV6 GT and EV9 GT as Kia expands its performance EV lineup.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Although it was widely expected to share underpinnings with the new EV6 GT, that apparently won’t be the case.

According to Auto Express, the EV5 GT will instead be equipped with a separate dual-motor powertrain, packing 302 hp and 480 Nm of torque, good for a 0 to 62 mph time of 6.2 seconds.

Official range and other final specs will be revealed at the event, but the GT version will use the same 81.4 kWh battery as the standard EV5 Long Range model, which should provide a WLTP driving range of at least 300 miles.

Kia said all future electric GT vehicles will wear its new “GT Wrap” featuring its signature neon green. The bold color has become a “symbol of electricity,” the company said. It will also be available in a matte Magma Red.

It’s about the size of Kia’s best-selling model, the Sportage, at 4,610 mm (181″) long, 1,875 mm (74″) wide, and 1,675 mm (66″) tall, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm.

Thanks to its dedicated electric vehicle (E-GMP) platform, the EV5 offers noticeably more interior space with “best-in-class” interior rear legroom of 1,041 mm (41″). Kia also packed it with its latest software, features, and infotainment system.

The interior features nearly 30″ of screen space with Kia’s new connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) infotainment system, including dual 12.3″ driver and navigation screens, plus a 5″ climate control display.

A video from our friends at Shortscar shows the EV5 GT driving in South Korea ahead of its upcoming debut. Although it’s still disguised, you can see the GT version has bigger wheels and updated front and rear bumpers.

The EV5 GT will debut at the Brussels Motor Show next month alongside the EV3 GT and EV4 GT. Kia will also unveil its new entry-level EV, the EV2. The event runs from January 9 through January 18, 2026. Hyundai is showcasing new EVs, including “its biggest EV” yet, which it previewed in a teaser image on Monday.

For those in the US, Kia is (sadly) not planning to launch the standard EV5 or GT version. After opening orders earlier this month, Kia said the midsize electric SUV would be exclusive to Canada in North America.

If you’re looking for a new EV, we can still help you find the right one. Kia is currently offering over $10,000 off every EV in its US lineup through its New Traditions sales event. You can use the links below to see what’s available in your area.