GM & EVgo Expand Partnership To Build “Flagship” Stations

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A number of months in the past, I shared how impressed I was with some of the charging stations at Pilot and Flying J truck stops. Not each station from the partnership between GM, Flying J, and EVgo has pull-through areas, however almost all of them have dependable Delta {hardware}, canopies to maintain the rain and solar off, 350 kW speeds, Plug&Cost help, and an array of truck cease facilities that you just gained’t discover on the typical gasoline station. Even with my slower-charging Chevy Bolt EUV pulling a trailer (120 miles of vary and an hour or extra of cost time at most stops), it was nonetheless a pleasing expertise.

Whereas I do know many readers will inform me that Tesla’s Superchargers are higher, it’s arduous to see that from the place I’m sitting (and never solely as a result of my car doesn’t help NACS but as of this writing). Dependable gear, quick speeds, and a easy plug & neglect charging course of is the whole lot that Tesla house owners brag about, proper? However these stations are sooner than V3 stations (350 kW) and have facilities that almost all Superchargers don’t. So long as long-term reliability holds up, non-Tesla charging appears to have recipe within the e-book.

I did have one concern that I didn’t categorical on the time, although: capability. On a 4200-mile journey, I ended at as many of those as I may, and I used to be normally the one one there charging. If I had one thing like a Silverado EV (a car I might promote organs or possibly my home for) that would pull that full 350 kW, it wouldn’t have been an issue. Even when two electron guzzlers have been there ingesting on the Flying J watering gap, everybody’s nonetheless getting the large straw.

However, issues begin to occur when 3 or 4 folks present up, as speeds lower in half. The EVgo stations cut up energy between the 2 plugs, and I’m unsure what increments they apportion the kilowatts in. If greater than 4 folks present up at these, a irritating line may kind. If dozens of individuals confirmed up, it might be an enormous damned drawback.

A latest press launch from EVgo provides us some essential mild on the finish of that tunnel, although. As a substitute of placing in 4 stalls at a bunch of truck stops and calling it a day, EVgo and GM are going to start out taking this idea to the following degree.

GM and EVgo’s “Flagship” Stations

Just like the stations which have been popping up at Flying J and Pilot truck stops, the renewed and expanded partnership goes to remain on the excessive finish. 350 kW charging (even when shared), canopies, pull-through stalls, and a secure atmosphere are all going to proceed. However, as an alternative of simply two stations that may cost as much as 4 automobiles, the following spherical of stations are deliberate to have as many as 20 stalls!

These stations shall be put in each alongside busy highways and in cities. They’ll even be positioned close to a broader number of facilities, together with truck stops and eating, but additionally together with issues like buying facilities, espresso retailers, and lots of different city and suburban companies.

“The future of EV charging is larger stall count locations, high-power charging, and designing around features that customers love – such as pull-through access, canopies and convenient amenities. Through this next evolution of EVgo and GM’s esteemed collaboration, the future of EV charging is here,” stated Dennis Kish, President at EVgo. “In order to be the charging provider of choice, we need to lead on customer satisfaction, and we will continue to innovate to deliver a charging experience that is convenient, comfortable, and dependable for current and future EV drivers.”

GM says that the primary of those new flagship areas will open in 2025, and development shall be sped alongside through the use of pre-fabricated segments of stations. This modular method most likely gained’t assist with lead instances on transformers, however getting the positioning prepared for energy ought to occur lots sooner. No present plans, akin to these at truck stops or these at city areas, shall be diminished to make manner for these bigger stations.

“Ensuring that our customers have seamless access to convenient and reliable charging is imperative, and this effort will take it to the next level,” stated GM Power VP Wade Sheffer. “Through our collaborations with industry leaders like EVgo, we continue to innovate and expand customer-centric charging solutions that will meet the evolving needs of EV drivers across the country.”

Non-Tesla Charging Goes Approach Past NEVI (Infrastructure Invoice)

One factor you gained’t discover within the press launch (however most likely ought to) is the large step in non-Tesla infrastructure improvement this represents. Whereas Tesla has been constructing 8-stall stations for a very long time and is now stepping into stations with dozens of stalls, most different charging suppliers simply aren’t constructing massive stations but.

It doesn’t take a lot to see the sample taking place exterior of Tesla proper now. Electrify America has largely constructed stations with 4 stalls, and generally 6 or 8 stalls, to satisfy Volkswagen’s obligations underneath the Dieselgate settlement. Within the bigger metro areas, different charging suppliers have typically solely constructed one or two DCFC stalls at locations like buying facilities, eating places, and so on. Outdoors of them, most routes solely bought a number of stalls from different Dieselgate settlement cash, and extra lately have been getting stations from the Infrastructure Invoice (NEVI) which requires solely 4 stalls.

Whereas these stations have been a complete lot higher than nothing for EVs that may’t Supercharge, there are stretches of highway the place having solely 4 stalls is turning into an enormous drawback. For instance, the Electrify America station in Quartzsite, Arizona (on the busy route between Phoenix and LA) usually has a line and heavy use has been robust on the tools.

Whereas the Supercharger community is beginning to divulge heart’s contents to extra manufacturers of automobiles, it’s nonetheless good to see extra firms leaping in and constructing bigger stations with extra stalls. This capability is already wanted in lots of locations, and shall be wanted quickly in lots of extra. Between NEVI-funded 4-stall stations, privately-funded 4-stall stations at extra truck stops, new “flagship” stations, and opened Superchargers, we should always begin seeing lots much less problem for EV drivers.

Featured picture supplied by EVgo and GM.