Southern Maryland is set to gain another federally funded electric vehicle fast-charging station, with a new project in La Plata joining previously awarded charging sites in Prince Frederick and Lexington Park.
The Maryland Department of Transportation has conditionally awarded Universal EV LLC $834,264 to install four public fast-charging ports at the Holiday Inn Express, 6860 Crain Highway in La Plata. The Charles County project is part of the third round of Maryland’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program and targets the U.S. 301 corridor.
The La Plata award means all three Southern Maryland counties now have projects represented in the state’s first three NEVI funding rounds.
In Calvert County, Universal EV received a conditional $850,800 Round 2 award for four charging ports at the Holiday Inn Express, 355 Merrimac Court in Prince Frederick. The project is associated with the MD 4 corridor and will be served by Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative.
St. Mary’s County was included in the first round. Gridwealth EV received a $467,460 award for four ports at Lexington Village Shopping Center, 46400 Lexington Village Way in Lexington Park. MDOT’s June 2026 project-status list identifies that project as “In Progress.”
Together, the three Southern Maryland projects represent $2,152,524 in federal NEVI awards and 12 planned fast-charging ports — four in each county.
The newest Charles County project was among five Round 3 conditional awards announced by MDOT. Statewide, Round 3 represents approximately $3.7 million in federal funding supported by about $918,000 in private-sector matching funds.
Under the federal NEVI program, project developers can receive federal reimbursement for up to 80% of eligible project costs but must provide at least a 20% nonfederal match.
MDOT launched its third funding round in March 2026 as part of an effort to close remaining charging gaps along Maryland highways designated as Alternative Fuel Corridors. The state sought proposals in specific areas where additional charging infrastructure was needed before Maryland could seek federal recognition that its corridor network had been fully built out.
The La Plata location fills a target area along U.S. 301, one of Southern Maryland’s primary north-south transportation routes. MDOT lists SMECO as the electric utility serving the project.
Awardees in Round 3 will have up to two years to complete design and construction. MDOT expects the newest stations to open to the public by late 2028.
The Southern Maryland projects are at different stages.
The Lexington Park site is furthest along according to the documents provided by MDOT. Its Round 1 project is already classified as in progress. The Prince Frederick and La Plata projects remain conditional awards, meaning additional contracting, design and other requirements must be completed before construction and opening.
Maryland’s first NEVI round provided nearly $6.5 million for 15 charging locations statewide, with 102 fast-charging ports planned. MDOT’s current NEVI program information says Round 1 projects are intended to establish reliable direct-current fast charging along federally designated corridors.
The Round 2 award list subsequently added the Prince Frederick project, giving Calvert County a planned NEVI charging location along MD 4.
Round 3 now extends that investment into Charles County.
“These awards represent a major step forward to filling remaining EV charging gaps along Maryland’s major travel corridors and making drivers feel at ease knowing there is a reliable charger in range,” Maryland Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson said.
MDOT said the five Round 3 projects statewide will add 24 public fast-charging ports at locations including gas stations, convenience stores, hotels and a commercial plaza.
The department said Maryland had 158,734 registered electric vehicles as of July 31.
State officials are also using NEVI funding as part of Maryland’s broader Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan, released in May. That plan is intended to guide charging infrastructure not only along long-distance travel corridors but eventually in areas where residents live, work, shop and spend time. MDOT describes the plan as a broader strategy for expanding publicly available zero-emission vehicle charging infrastructure statewide.
For Southern Maryland, the first three NEVI rounds create a geographic spread across all three counties: Lexington Park in St. Mary’s, Prince Frederick in Calvert and La Plata in Charles.
The projects are concentrated along three of the region’s most important highway corridors — MD 5/235, MD 4 and U.S. 301 — and all three will operate within SMECO territory.
The timing of the projects varies, however. Lexington Park is already listed as under development, while residents should not expect the newly announced La Plata station to open immediately. Its conditional award begins a process that MDOT says could extend through late 2028.
