Tesla has built out a nationwide network of charging stations for owners of its cars, which is awesome, but it does little to build out infrastructure for broader acceptance of electric cars. However, that’s now changing.
[T]wo carmakers that use different standards are cooperating on a program of fast-charging expansion in selected areas of the United States.
BMW and Nissan claim to have helped make available new fast-charging stations at 120 locations across 19 states, networked using the Greenlots standard.
These are dual 50-kilowatt stations with a CHAdeMO connector that can accommodate Nissan's Leaf electric car, and a CCS connector for BMW’s i3.
This network will be open to owners of all electric cars, helping kickstart efforts to transition away from internal combustion engines. These stations will initially be located in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Ideally, they’ll continue to expand.
In addition to the Leaf and i3, many car manufacturers are working on their own electric offerings. GM will unveil its new Bolt in January, with a projected 200-mile range and a cost of around $30,000. An Audi electric SUV is in the works. Tesla’s car for the masses, the $35,000 Model 3, will be unveiled early next year and supposedly hit the roads in 2018. BMW has more electric models planned. Porsche and Mercedes-Benz are also looking to get in the game.
Those efforts at zero-emission vehicles will be stillborn if a robust network of charging stations doesn’t emerge, so this is fantastic news.