The installation of 2000 EVgo charging stations at 500 locations is part of an agreement between GM and Pilot/Flying J truck stops, which we told readers about last month. Now that we know Delta Electronics will be providing the charging equipment, we are learning a little bit more about the agreement.
THE GM/FLYING J/EVGO AGREEMENT For those who are just tuning in, let me briefly explain what has previously happened before I go into the specifics of the agreement with Delta. Feel free to scroll down if you are already familiar with this.
2,000 charging stalls will be installed at up to 500 Pilot truck stops, a sizable chain of truck stops that includes Flying J-branded truck stops, according to a recent announcement from General Motors.
According to Pilot Company CEO Shameek Konar, GM and Pilot Company created this concept to combine private investments with expected government grant and utility programs to assist minimize range anxiety and considerably close the gap in long-distance EV charging demand. Our travel centers across the nation are conveniently located near major highways and offer 24/7 services to support EV charging. Through our nationwide network of travel centers, we look forward to working with GM and the U.S. Department of Transportation to make simple coast-to-coast EV travel a reality.
Press materials also identified EVgo as a third partner. By the end of 2020, the EVgo network, which currently includes 850 charging stations across 30 US states, will have 1,000 locations. The GM/Ultium, Pilot, or Flying J brands will be on the charging stations (the two truck-stop chains operated by Pilot).
The stations will be fairly good as well. Their maximum output will be 350 kW, and they can be placed under canopies to make it easier to charge in the rain and shade. The charging stations will be set up in a pull-through configuration to allow EVs towing trailers to charge as frequently as possible without having to unhitch. They won’t support electric 18-wheelers or huge truck trucks, but they will be highly pickup truck friendly.
According to Mary Barra, Chair and CEO of GM, in a press statement from last month, “We are dedicated to an all-electric, zero-emission future, and making sure that the necessary charging infrastructure is in place is a vital piece of the puzzle.” Pilot Company is a great partner since it has travel hubs all over North America, which enables it to connect with a large number of EV drivers.
Looking at their rough map, we also learned that these stations are often meant to cooperate with already-existing ones (mostly Electrify America) rather than compete with them. This won’t create any new corridors, but it will double the stations along the existing ones and relocate them to fantastic 24-hour places.
That’s not thrilling, but you don’t want to have heroic moments where someone saves the day due to a complete lack of service when discussing infrastructure. Extra redundancy and capacity don’t make for great news stories, but they do assure less-disappointing cross-continental journeys.
DELTAS PART IN THIS AGREEMENT Delta Electronics, a major producer of EV charging equipment and a global supplier of power and energy management solutions, has today announced that it has inked a new supply agreement with EVgo. As part of the agreement, Delta will give EVgo 1,000 fast chargers with a 350kW capacity or more. These chargers will help businesses with EVgo’s eXtend and fleet initiatives as well as extensions to its owned and operated charging network.
According to Cathy Zoi, CEO of EVgo, “EVgo is committed to making EV charging convenient and dependable for everyone, making it vital that our network is composed of high-quality chargers backed by a track record of innovation, reliability, and technical leadership.” Together, EVgo and Delta will demonstrate our complementary skills and expertise while advancing EVgo’s momentum and deployment goals to increase access to first-rate EV charging experiences across the United States.
With more than 40 years of experience, the company Delta Electronics specializes in power and energy management systems. The founding mission of Delta was to provide creative, green, and energy-efficient solutions for a brighter future. Around 200 facilities, including production, sales, and research facilities, are owned or operated by Delta. The company’s Smart Green solutions include building automation, telecom power over Ethernet (TPOE), data center infrastructure, renewable energy, energy storage, and display, as well as electric vehicle charging, industrial automation, and smart manufacturing. Delta will offer a wide range of intelligent green solutions, such as EV charging, industrial automation, and smart manufacturing, to assist the establishment of smart industries and sustainable cities. The 350 kW EV chargers with a shared capacity feature will be the primary elements of Delta’s EVgo units.
With its core competency in high-efficiency power electronics, Delta has been able to create energy-saving solutions capable of fostering megatrends that promote sustainability for more than 50 years. In addition to having sold over a million EV chargers to clients throughout the world, our track record in e-mobility also includes years of collaboration with top EV producers in North America, Europe, and Asia. As the United States strives for rapid e-mobility expansion, we are thrilled to collaborate with a pioneer like EVgo, according to Kelvin Huang, President of Delta Electronics Americas Region.
Where the other 1,000 chargers will come from is one item that today’s news does not touch on. To power the Ultium-branded stations at the Pilot/Flying J truck stops, another provider or a second agreement with Delta will be required because the total package calls for 2,000 stations at 500 locations. If another person can provide the other 1,000, we’ll probably find out about it soon. We’ll undoubtedly learn more about Delta’s chances to handle the second half of the agreement later.
WHY THESE NEWS ARE GREAT For a couple reasons, this is excellent news. First off, it is just another illustration of how companies that provide charging infrastructure are cooperating to satisfy the demands of the EV market. Second, it represents a vote of confidence in EVs’ future from one of the top providers of power and energy management solutions worldwide. Thirdly, it demonstrates Delta’s dedication to offering eco-friendly and energy-saving solutions that promote the development of sustainable cities. Last but not least, it shows Delta’s leadership in the e-mobility sector and its capacity to offer top-tier EV charging experiences.
While a single small deal like this doesn’t amount to much, we can see that when they are taken as a whole, they have a significant impact on EV drivers.
GM provided the featured image.
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