From staff reports OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is moving forward with the f irst phase of expanding electric vehicle infrastructure.
The Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved more than $8 million in f ederal funds that will be 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 150kW or higher charging, accessible 24/7/365, and have broadband or cellular capability. Once in stalled, these 13 stations will com plete the EV charging corridors on I-35, I-40 and I-44 in Oklahoma.
“Range anxiety is a r eal concern for electric vehicle owners here in Oklahoma and nationwide,” said ODOT Multi-Modal Division Engineer Jared Schwennesen. “We believe this will be a major ste p toward cutting down on that a nxiety and providing a reliable charging network across Oklahoma.”
The contracts were awarded to Love’s Travel Stops, Francis Energy LLC, and Tesla Inc., who will provide a combined $7 million in private funding match to build the stations. Through this public-private partnership, the private partners will design, build, operate and maintain the charging stations.
The charging stations are expected to be opened in 2025.
Slow EV sales nationwide aren’t stopping the state of Colorado from spending $21 million to expand its fast-charging networks for electric vehicles.
New grants will result in spending for 46 sites that will include 290 charging ports. It means an expansion by about 30%.
The Colorado Sun reports private companies and governments will build the fast chargers to fill gaps identified along alternative fuel corridors. The buildout comes as more than 100,000 EVs are registered in the state.