Electric Highway Coalition doubles membership in fast charging station rollout effort

The Electric Highway Coalition (EHC) — a partnership dedicated to creating a network of DC fast charging stations around major highway systems to increase electric vehicle (EV) viability — announced that its membership has reached 14 companies as of this week.

The recent membership numbers are more than double its initial coalition from last year, thanks to pledges from AVANGRID, Consolidated Edison, DTE Energy, Eversource Energy, Exelon, FirstEnergy Corp., ITC Holdings Corp., and National Grid. Combined with the already existing members, these companies represent presences in 29 states and the District of Columbia and give a strong foothold to launch its efforts. It is still seeking more utilities to expand that network further, though, and is eying further regional utility transportation corridor electrification initiatives as its reach grows.

Nicholas Akins, chairman, president, and CEO of American Electric Power (AEP), praised the coalition’s success.

“In just a few months, we have been able to more than double the number of companies who want to be part of this unprecedented effort. Every major carmaker has announced production of EVs for every lifestyle – from pickup trucks to performance cars – and our industry is prepared to ensure that drivers can travel wherever the road takes them,” Akins said. “Through the EHC, we can make sure that our nation’s charging infrastructure is built to enable travel and make the most efficient use of the energy grid.”

To date, members have agreed to cooperate to ensure reliable fast charging deployment plans that will allow for long-distance EV travel and avoid duplication between utilities while bolstering existing corridor fast charging sites. One of the goals is to set up easily accessible chargers less than 100 miles apart, with at least two charging stations in each area. Ideally, these chargers will be universally compatible so that any electric vehicle could be charged up and back on the road in under 30 minutes.

That said, EHC recognizes that effective buildout will vary from area to area, and its members are working with stakeholders in their respective territories to determine the best approaches. Pricing is also expected to vary, and members will choose their own charging equipment providers — reflective of flexibility in individual approach, so long as everyone has the same basic goal.

Take AEP, for example. In 2018, the company launched a $10 million program in Ohio to deploy 375 charging stations at local government offices, workplaces, and multi-family dwellings, with 10 percent guaranteed for low-income areas. It pushed past that goal.

In a similar vein, one of the new entries to the coalition — Exelon — has committed to electricity half of its utility vehicle fleet by 2030 and is planning the installation of more than 7,000 residential, commercial, and/or utility-owned charging ports through its various utilities across Maryland, Washington, D.C., Delaware and New Jersey.

“Protecting our future means ensuring electric vehicles are an affordable, accessible, and reliable transportation option for customers in the communities we serve,” Calvin Butler, CEO of Exelon Utilities, said. “Our customers and communities want cleaner air and action on climate change – just one reason why we want to make sure rapid charging is as easily available along major highways as traditional gas stations. Our partnership with the Electric Highway Coalition will help alleviate range anxiety by creating convenient, rapid charging stations that will give travelers in our communities the confidence to know they can rely on electric vehicles for long-distance travel wherever they need to go.”

In addition to collective pledges on charger rollouts, companies involved in the EHC will also explore the possibility of additional features. These could include real-time status reporting for drivers or more convenient payment collection options, among others.