NV Energy gets approval to invest $100M in EV infrastructure

NV Energy got approval from the Nevada Public Utilities Commission to invest $100 million in infrastructure for electric cars and trucks over the next three years.

NV Energy plans to increase the availability of public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along major travel corridors and at key destinations. It will also help transit agencies, school districts, local governments, and businesses to deploy EVs in their fleets.

“This is a smart investment in Nevada’s future,” Cameron Dyer, Western Resource Advocates’ managing senior staff attorney in Nevada, said. “An M.J. Bradley & Associates analysis earlier this year found that Nevadans could realize $20 billion in economic benefits through 2050 by moving from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles, and this transition will also reduce air pollution, improve public health, protect the climate, and make the electricity system more efficient. NV Energy’s investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure is an important step to get more electric vehicles on our roads.”

NV Energy said roughly half of the investments will be made in historically underserved communities.

“All Nevadans deserve to participate in and benefit from the transition to electric transportation,” Dr. Mary House, CEO of CHR, Inc., said. “We need to ensure this new infrastructure is located in historically underserved communities, who can benefit most from transportation cost savings and cleaner air. This plan makes an important down payment toward that goal.”

The state recently adopted a program called Clean Cars Nevada, which requires automakers to deliver more electric passenger vehicles to the state.

“People will benefit from this plan even if they don’t drive,” Angie Dykema, Nevada Representative of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, said. “We estimate that Nevadans will save more than $3 billion on their electricity bills through 2050 as a result of widespread electric vehicle deployment. That’s because electric vehicles can help us get more value out of the investments we make in our electricity grid.”