Charging, not range, becoming top concern for EV drivers

Southwest Ledger

By News Staff October 22, 2024

From staff reports Charging, not range, is becoming a top concern for electric vehicle drivers.

The Biden administration’s infrastructure agenda includes $5 billion to install electric vehicle chargers on highways, but the initiative is dragging.

State agencies that typically focus on pavement have had to cope with the complexity of providing power, and have learned that electric utilities move slowly and key pieces of equipment are in short supply.

In Oklahoma, the state Department of Transportation earlier this year announced the first phase of expanding electric vehicle infrastructure.

The Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved more than $8 million in federal funds awarded to three private partners to build 13 charging stations along Oklahoma interstate highways.

The stations will be within 50 miles of pre-existing or planned sites in designated corridors, within 1-mile driving distance of an exit, equipped with at least four charging ports capable of simultaneous 150 kilowatt or higher charging, accessible 24/7/365, and have broadband or cellular capability. Once installed, the 13 stations will complete the EV charging corridors on I-35, I-40 and I-44 in Oklahoma.

View the full article: SouthwestLedger.news