As car buyers continue to worry about the reliability and availability of fast chargers for long-range electric vehicles, General Motors and charging company EVgo are adding 400 DC fast-charging stations with some of the amenities drivers take for granted at gas stations, such as bright lighting, security cameras and parking spaces for vehicles towing trailers.
Most stations will have as many as 20 stalls — “significantly more,” according to GM. Large numbers of stalls like these can help prevent the lines that are common at some fast chargers, as multiple vehicles wait for their turn at one of the four or six chargers.
“The future of EV charging is more stall-count locations, higher-power charging and designing around features that customers love,” said EVgo President Dennis Kish. “We must lead with customer satisfaction and we will continue to innovate to deliver a charging experience that is convenient, comfortable and reliable for current and future EV drivers.”
Any brand of electric car can use the chargers
The chargers deliver up to 350kW or 800 volts, the highest level that allows for the fastest charging. The first flagships will open in 2025.
Fear of long delays and broken chargers are often cited as reasons why some consumers are reluctant to buy an EV. Locations with 20 or more chargers are extremely rare, even along busy highways.
The main chargers also have a hood to protect them from the elements, a common feature that was missing from the first generation of DC fast chargers.
GM and EVgo base station locations on factors such as EV registration, available power, nearby amenities and the location of electrical utilities.
The chargers are being marketed jointly by EVgo and GM Energy, but they can be used by any electric car.
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The main stations will be located coast to coast, including major metropolitan areas in “states such as Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New York and Texas.”
There is much more to come
The flagship locations will also be close to shops, restaurants, coffee shops and other amenities that drivers can use while charging. Stops at fast chargers can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 30 or 40 minutes, depending on how low the battery is and a number of other factors.
“Ensuring our customers have seamless access to convenient and reliable charging is critical, and this effort will take that to the next level,” said Wade Sheffer, vice president of GM Energy.
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The “vast majority” of the flagship stations will be new locations for EVgo. A few may use existing locations.
Still, 400 additional charging stations are a drop in the ocean as electric vehicles become increasingly popular. GM is also continuing its programs to mainstream DC fast chargers on intercity routes with Pliot/Jet service plazas and the IONNA consortium of automakers.
GM also has an agreement with Tesla for access to the automaker’s Superchargers, the nation’s largest fast-charging network.
Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.comFollow him on Twitter @brand_phelanRead more at cars and sign up for our cars newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: GM EVgo Adds Fast Chargers for Electric Vehicles Towing Trailers
