Rocky Mountain Power files $50 million electric vehicle charging infrastructure plan for Utah

Utah-based Rocky Mountain Power filed for a $50 million electric vehicle charging infrastructure investment plan this week, which could bring as many as 100 extreme fast chargers to 20-25 sites around the state.

The charging effort is part of the company’s new Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan, now in the hands of the Utah Public Service Commission. If approved, it would build on five years of transition work on Rocky Mountain Power’s part, which has included more than 70 DC fast chargers along I-15. On the slower end, more than 2,300 Level 2 chargers were installed at workplaces across Utah.

“We’re going to deploy extreme fast chargers throughout the entire state,” James Campbell, Rocky Mountain Power director of Innovation and Sustainability, said. “Historically, we had chargers that would take about 40 minutes of charging to get 100 miles. Now, we’re installing chargers that are three to five times faster, which means you could get those 100 miles in about 10 minutes.”

However, the program isn’t just focused on speed. It will also provide investment for supporting infrastructure, such as transformers, conduits, trenching and other critical components. Breathe Utah, an organization dedicated to improving air quality in the state, lauded the move as well, noting that anything advancing zero emission electric vehicle technology in parallel with Utah’s rising population will in turn help reduce emissions.