• by Tanya Gazdik , December 7, 2023

General Motors, Pilot Travel Centers and EVgo announced the opening of the first 17 locations of a national electric vehicle fast charging network. 

Now available in 13 states, the network features an elevated charging experience, providing EV travelers access to the same amenities offered at existing Pilot and Flying J travel center locations.

The target is to open at least 25 locations offering 100 fast charging stalls by end of year and approximately 200 locations targeted by end of 2024. Eventually the network will include up to 2,000 high-power fast charging stalls at up to 500 Pilot and Flying J travel centers across the U.S., connecting urban and rural communities.

Expansion sites for this network have been strategically selected for continued electrification of highly traveled corridors in every corner of the nation.

As opposed to many of the current charging station locations -- which are in remote corners of parking lots -- Pilot and Flying J travel centers feature 24/7 amenities like access to restrooms, refreshments and free WiFi. The stations will also feature onsite staff monitoring, canopies to help protect drivers from the elements during charging, and pull-through charging stalls to accommodate EV towing. 

The goal of the project is to improve range confidence and enable nationwide EV road travel. A digital user experience has also been built into this network: EV travelers will be able to find available charging locations via GM’s vehicle brand apps, Pilot’s myRewards Plus app, the EVgo app, PlugShare and other applications designed for EV drivers.

Starting in the spring, GM and Pilot Travel Centers LLC will introduce exclusive benefits for GM drivers, including the ability to reserve a charger, and discounts on charging. All EV travelers can also save at Pilot and Flying J locations with regular deals on food, beverages and merchandise available in the myRewards Plus app.

Meanwhile, Ford Pro, the commercial division within Ford Motor Co., and Xcel Energy, a national leader in clean energy, announced a collaboration to support the deployment of 30,000 electric vehicle charging ports in Xcel Energy service territories across the U.S. by 2030, with most upfront costs offset by Xcel for qualifying business fleet customers.Ford Pro and Xcel Energy are launching the initiative within Xcel Energy’s broader Electric Vehicle Supply Infrastructure program to scale EV adoption and increase access to charging infrastructure for business fleets across Xcel Energy’s service areas in the U.S.

Starting in 2024, ports will be available in Colorado and Wisconsin. The program will seek opportunities for expansion in more states over the next six years pending regulatory approvals, including Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas.