A group of six major US utilities announced the launch of the Electric Highway Coalition, aiming to ensure that electric vehicle (EV) drivers have access to a seamless network of charging stations connecting major highway systems from the Atlantic Coast, through the Midwest and South, and into the Gulf and Central Plains regions.
The utilities, American Electric Power, Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Entergy Corporation, Southern Co., and the Tennessee Valley Authority, plan to enable EV drivers seamless travel across major regions of the country through a network of DC fast chargers for EV, with each company taking steps to provide EV charging solutions within their service territories.
Rapidly growing demand for electrified mobility solutions are driving substantial investment and product development efforts across the mobility and energy sectors. Automotive giants General Motors and Ford have both recently unveiled major vehicle electrification initiatives, and yesterday Volvo announced plans to offer only fully electric vehicles in its car fleet by 2030. According to the coalition, while many drivers recognize the benefits of driving an EV, such as the ease of low-cost home charging, concerns regarding the availability of charging stations during long road trips could be a barrier to wider adoption.
Lang Reynolds, Director of Electrification Strategy for Duke Energy, said:
“The path to cleaner transportation is a robust charging infrastructure along the nation’s major highways. Range anxiety is a barrier to more EV adoption. This coalition can erase those obstacles and help deliver the benefits of EV ownership to consumers.”
According to the new coalition, aims to provide drivers with charging options that enable long-distance EV travel. Sites along major highway routes with easy highway access and amenities for travelers are being considered as coalition members work to determine final charging station locations. Charging stations will provide DC fast chargers that are capable of getting drivers back on the road in approximately 20-30 minutes.
Chris Cummiskey, Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer and Customer Solutions Officer at Southern Company, said:
“By increasing the number of EV fast charging stations across our footprint, we are providing drivers with additional transportation options that are reliable, efficient and more convenient while helping reduce carbon emissions for the benefit of our communities we serve.”
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