Six Midwestern energy companies have banded together in the hopes of developing America’s largest interstate electric vehicle charging network by the end of 2022.
Consumers Energy, DTE Energy, Evergy, Oklahoma Gas & Electric, Ameren Illinois and Ameren Missouri announced on Tuesday that they had signed a memorandum of cooperation, pledging to construct charging stations across five states. The companies said the network will facilitate clean transportation and bolster range confidence for long-haul EV trips.
The agreement doesn’t say how many charging stations will be built. Ameren spokesperson Jenny Barth said each energy company will “build a program that works best for their area.”
The utilities said more companies could join the effort. They added that network construction is dependent on regulatory approval from each utility’s state.
“By partnering in the creation of a multistate electric charging network with energy companies outside of our own footprint, we are able to help our customers safely and economically travel to far-ranging destinations,” Ameren Missouri President Marty Lyons said in a release. “Detroit to Oklahoma City or St. Louis to Denver, we are supporting our customers, our communities and our country with cleaner driving.”
Ameren said transitioning to electric transportation can help “dramatically” lower carbon emissions, allowing the utility to meet carbon-reduction goals.
“Our focus in joining this multistate coalition is to develop a charging infrastructure that will help reduce ‘range anxiety’ and lead to broader adoption of electric vehicles,” Ameren Illinois President Richard Mark said.
The Edison Electric Institute estimates that there are more than 1.5 million EVs currently on the nation’s roadways, with just 100,000 public charging stations to support them. The trade association forecasts nearly 19 million electric cars on the road by 2030. To achieve that growth, EEI estimates that 9.6 million public charging stations will be needed.
“Expanding the use of electricity in transportation saves customers money, improves the environment by reducing emissions and enhances quality of life for everyone,” EEI President Tom Kuhn said. “By deploying charging infrastructure and accelerating electric transportation, EEI’s member companies, including Ameren and the other companies collaborating on this initiative, are working together to build a cleaner and stronger economy for the future.”
While there are about 40 EV models today, the Electric Power Research Institute expects automakers to have more than 130 models to choose from in just two years.
“Consumers Energy is committed to building the backbone of the charging network for electric vehicles across Michigan,” Senior Vice President Brian Rich said. “We know we can play an important role in charging the growth of EVs in our state and region, and know that will be good for Michigan’s economy, our communities and the environment.”
DTE Electric CEO Jerry Norcia also said his utility “has a significant role to play in helping make EVs a viable option for many.”
Evergy, which serves portions of Missouri and Kansas and was formed by the merger of Westar Energy and Kansas City Power and Light, tweeted that it was “excited” to partner with the other utilities. Evergy Chief Customer Officer Chuck Caisley said the network will make it “convenient and easy for EV drivers to charge their vehicles no matter where they are throughout the Midwest.”
