ADOT plans expanding electric vehicle charging stations, needs ideas

The Arizona Department of Transportation is asking the public for help on a proposal to add nine state highway segments to a network of fast-charging stations for electric vehicles.

A virtual meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, to discuss a list that  includes all interstate freeways, US 89, and portions of US 93 and state routes 64, 87, 95 and 347:

• US 60: Wickenburg to Phoenix
• US 60: Phoenix to Globe
• US 60: Show Low to New Mexico
• US 93: Wickenburg to I-40
• US 95: Quartzsite to San Luis
• US 160: US 89 to Four Corners
• SR 68: US 93 to Bullhead City
• SR 80: Bisbee to Douglas
• SR 90: I-10 to Bisbee

Visit azdot.gov/EVPlan to register for the virtual meeting and receive a link to attend.

Project staff will be available to share information about the new proposed station locations on state highways and answer questions, according to ADOT.

Here are other ways to provide state transportation officials with information by Wednesday, July 17:

• Virtual Meeting: Register at azdot.gov/EVmeeting
• Online Survey: Available at azdot.gov/EVcomments
• Email: AZEVPlan@azdot.gov
• Phone: 800-915-4301
• Mail: ADOT EV Plan, 1655 W. Jackson St., MD 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007

The electric vehicle charging network plan is part of $76.5 million in federal funding Arizona is eligible to receive through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.

The program encourages adoption of electric vehicles by building a nationwide network of publicly accessible and reliable fast chargers that will reduce drivers’ concerns about the range of electric vehicles, according to an ADOT release.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org .