In a significant milestone, EVgo and General Motors (GM) have celebrated the inauguration of their 1,000th DC fast charging stall, marking a substantial leap forward in their joint efforts to expand fast charging infrastructure across the United States.
The collaboration between EVgo and GM was initially unveiled in 2020, with the ambitious plan to deploy 2,700 individual charging stalls in 40 metropolitan areas by the end of 2025. However, progress exceeded expectations, and in 2021, the partners elevated their goal to 3,250 charging stalls spanning 52 metropolitan areas.
As of early August, nearly 31 percent of the plan has been realized, with a thousand charging stalls successfully deployed in almost 230 locations across 39 markets, serving 27 states.
According to the official press release, the majority of these DC fast chargers boast a peak power output of 350 kilowatts (kW), ensuring efficient and swift charging experiences for electric vehicle (EV) drivers.
One of the significant aspects of this collaboration is the strategic placement of charging stations. EVgo and GM are working diligently to expand public charging accessibility where EV drivers frequently visit, such as grocery stores, retail centers, and city centers. Simultaneously, they are addressing the charging needs of customers who lack the convenience of home or workplace charging, such as renters and residents of multifamily dwellings.
The landmark 1,000th charger was recently installed at the Woodgrove Festival Shopping Mall in Woodridge, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. This location, situated within easy reach of Interstates 55 and 355, holds significant promise as a prime retail and transit hub.
Notably, the charging infrastructure includes Delta Electronics chargers, potentially from the 1,000 units ordered in 2022. Each charger comes equipped with two outputs (A and B), allowing two individual stalls to operate simultaneously and facilitate the charging of two electric vehicles at once.
The progress made in expanding charging infrastructure is commendable, with the initiative appearing well on track to meet its planned completion timeframe.
Beyond the charging infrastructure, EVgo and GM are also collaborating on other crucial aspects related to EV charging. As part of GM’s holistic Ultium Charge 360 initiative, EVgo serves as one of GM’s preferred EV charge point operators.
Apart from broadening public charging access, the two companies are jointly committed to improving charging reliability and enhancing the overall customer experience. This includes implementing a comprehensive action plan, conducting enhanced health checks throughout the charging network, and providing customer education through GM’s extensive dealer network to guide new EV owners through their first public charging experiences. Additionally, their joint efforts contributed to the successful launch of “Plug and Charge” in 2022, a convenient feature enabling drivers to initiate charging sessions effortlessly, without the need for additional payment authentication.
In conclusion, the successful deployment of the 1,000th DC fast charging stall signifies a notable advancement in the EVgo-GM partnership’s mission to expand fast charging infrastructure across the United States. As the collaboration continues, both companies are dedicated to providing efficient, accessible, and reliable charging solutions for electric vehicle drivers, fostering the widespread adoption of sustainable transportation.
