Arizona Infrastructure Bill Charging Station Locations Announced

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Generally, it could actually really feel just like the Infrastructure Invoice funding goes slower than molasses with regards to getting EV charging stations put in and operating. Some states had been a LOT extra environment friendly than others in making use of for and getting the funds out to contractors than others. Nevertheless, it’s additionally essential to do not forget that that is usually how federally-funded freeway initiatives go. Anti-EV FUDsters and right-wing edgelords on-line are telling us that it is a signal of failure by the Biden administration, nevertheless it wouldn’t have been any quicker below Trump, George W. Bush, or his dad, and even the legendary Ronald Reagan.

Equity in argument utterly apart, it’s nonetheless good to see when progress occurs. Not solely do we want the charging stations, however we additionally must show to folks that EV highway journeys are doable. So, it’s nice information that Arizona has lastly gotten the ball rolling on precise station areas!

Some Fast Background

Earlier than I am going on, let’s speak briefly about what the Infrastructure Invoice’s NEVI program is and the place we’re on that. The Infrastructure Invoice offered funding for states to contract with non-public firms to place in charging stations everywhere in the United States. The purpose ultimately is to cowl not solely the interstate highways, however all highways within the Nationwide Freeway System. The non-interstate roads within the system embody not just some (however not all) US highways, but additionally contains some state and native roads which are strategically or economically essential on the nationwide stage.

On this first section, the purpose is to cowl solely the interstate highways. Each state was required to provide you with a plan to go away gaps of now not than 50 miles between charging stations. Every station has to have at the very least 4 CCS plugs (different plugs could be included, so long as there are 4 CCS plugs) with sufficient energy to maintain all stations charging at 150 kW or quicker.

The newest map and desk from Arizona DOT exhibits the areas the place a contractor has been chosen to put in a charging station at particular areas.

The Areas Chosen

Download a PDF with a list of stations, addresses, etc. here.

Whereas the stations don’t seem like they’re quite a few, it’s essential to notice that AZ DOT is attempting to save cash from this spherical for different rounds to cowl extra miles of freeway within the state. Even so, the state and the contractors DOT is working with did provide you with some fairly good websites.

Coming in alongside I-10 from New Mexico, the state selected a website fairly early in San Simon. This makes for a small hole between it and the following station in Lordsburg, New Mexico. San Simon isn’t a giant city by any stretch, nevertheless it’s received first rate entry to the freeway and facilities that make for a good station at a truck cease.

The subsequent station goes to be in Willcox, a bigger city that’s located on the high of a steep climb coming from Tucson (Texas Canyon). This station will likely be put in by Tesla, who will presumably be upgrading the prevailing V2 Supercharger to one thing newer (V3, V4, or a V3/V4 hybrid setup) that helps each CCS and NACS (Tesla plug) charging. It’s not clear whether or not it’s going to be new stalls or upgrades for current stalls.

Additional down the highway close to Tucson, Tesla will likely be placing in a brand new station that may have CCS and NACS plugs at a Rudy’s BBQ restaurant. Taking place I-19, there will likely be two new stations to offer CCS charging for journeys to Nogales and Mexico. Trillium and Francis Vitality will likely be doing these.

Casa Grande (the place I-10 and I-8 meet) will get two new units of CCS stalls. A truck cease close to Eloy will get a Trillium CCS charging station, and Culver’s (a restaurant) will likely be getting an improve to its Tesla Supercharger to assist CCS automobiles.

Interstate 8 will likely be getting two new stations. Tesla will likely be including a CCS/NACS station in Tacna (nearly to Yuma), and Trillium will likely be including some CCS stalls open to all automobiles in Gila Bend. This could permit for a a lot simpler journey out to San Diego! For the journey to Los Angeles alongside I-10, the Pilot journey middle in at Vicksburg Rd will likely be giving extra CCS charging choices. Mixed with some GM-funded stations out that method and Superchargers opening up, it needs to be lots simpler to make that journey quickly, too.

Interstate 17 can be going to get some crucial upgrades. As steep because the route is climbing out of Phoenix, additional stations are wanted. Arizona DOT appears to have listened to public enter on this, and the workers selected areas in Cordes Junction, Camp Verde, and Munds Park. Which means that even EVs pulling trailers with smaller batteries ought to be capable of make the journey as much as Flagstaff.

I-40 can be getting some much-needed stations close by in Lake Havasu, and alongside the freeway in Kingman, Seligman, Meteor Crater, and Holbrook.

Stations That Want Contractor Proposals

Sadly, there are three badly-needed stations that no person put in a proposal for! So, for those who’re an EV charging firm trying to get into the enterprise, you may think about throwing your hat within the ring.

One website close to Tonopah alongside I-10 wants extra protection, as this is a crucial hole between Phoenix and Salome. There are some fuel stations within the space that would most likely function hosts, however no person has even requested.

One other two stations are wanted alongside I-40 between Holbrook and the New Mexico state line. AZ DOT hoped to place one on the Petrified Forest Nationwide Park (mislabeled on the map as a nationwide forest) and at Sanders. These are each nice interstate exits, and the Petrified Forest is a good place to get enterprise. The customer middle is earlier than the admission gate, so it needs to be an awesome place to arrange store.

Regardless of the dearth of participation at these websites, the remainder of the plan will make a big effect on charging in Arizona!

Featured picture by Arizona DOT.