Powered by EVgo eXtend, this network will help
enable long-distance electric travel across the U.S.
DETROIT and KNOXVILLE, Tenn., July 14,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- To accelerate the
widespread adoption of EVs, increase access to charging and help
enable long-distance electric travel of people and vehicles across
the U.S., GM and Pilot Company (Pilot and Flying J) are
collaborating on a national DC fast charging network that will be
installed, operated and maintained by EVgo through its eXtend
offering. This project demonstrates how public and private entities
can come together to build out the nation's charging
infrastructure, particularly along American highways, connecting
urban and rural communities, the East and West Coasts and different
metropolitan areas.
This network of 2,000 charging stalls, co-branded "Pilot Flying
J" and "Ultium Charge 360", will be powered by EVgo eXtend and open
to all EV brands at up to 500 Pilot and Flying J travel centers. GM
customers will receive special benefits like exclusive
reservations, discounts on charging, a streamlined charging process
through Plug and Charge and integration into GM's vehicle
brand apps providing real-time charger availability and help with
route planning. This collaboration is expected to enhance America's
EV driving experience.
The Pilot and Flying J travel centers plan to feature numerous
fast charging stalls provided by EVgo, including high power fast
chargers capable of offering up to 350 kW1. EVgo, which
is also working with GM to add more than 3,250 fast chargers in
American cities and suburbs by the end of 2025, was chosen as a
strategic collaborator due to its expertise in building, operating
and maintaining DC fast charging infrastructure. Many of these
sites will feature canopies to help protect customers from the
elements while charging, as well as pull-through capability
allowing convenient charging for electric pickup trucks and SUVs
pulling trailers.
"We are committed to an all-electric, zero-emissions future, and
ensuring that the right charging infrastructure is in place is a
key piece of the puzzle," said Mary
Barra, GM Chair and Chief Executive Officer. "With travel
centers across North America,
Pilot Company is an ideal collaborator to reach a broad audience of
EV drivers."
"GM and Pilot Company designed this program to combine private
investments alongside intended government grant and utility
programs to help reduce range anxiety and significantly close the
gap in long-distance EV charger demand," said Shameek Konar, Pilot Company Chief Executive
Officer. "Our travel centers are well-equipped to accommodate EV
charging with 24/7 amenities and convenient proximity to major
roadways across the country. We look forward to collaborating with
GM and the U.S. Department of Transportation to make convenient
coast-to-coast EV travel a reality through our national network of
travel centers."
Third-party research shows that widespread access to highway
charging, particularly in underserved urban and rural areas, is a
significant barrier to mass EV adoption2.
"EVgo, GM and Pilot Company share a commitment to building an
electric fueling network that increases access and makes the shift
to electrification as frictionless as possible for all. We look
forward to this collaboration and ensuring the EVgo network
provides nationwide coverage, including critical corridors for road
trips," said Cathy Zoi, CEO at EVgo. "Through EVgo eXtend, we are
demonstrating yet another innovative pathway to help America
electrify — and showcasing why EVgo's technology and industry
leadership make us the partner of choice to site hosts, automakers
and drivers alike as we work together to deliver a cleaner future
of transportation."
This collaboration is targeting the installation of charging
stalls at 50-mile intervals across the U.S. For GM, this
development is one more step of its nearly $750 million investment in EV charging
infrastructure, including:
- Enabling access to more than 100,000 charge points in the U.S.
and Canada through its Ultium
Charge 360 ecosystem
- Collaborating with EVgo to build out a network of 3,250
charging stalls in major metro areas by 2025
- Installing up to 40,000 chargers in local dealer communities
through GM's Dealer Community Charging Program, focusing on
underserved rural and urban areas
This project builds on Pilot Company's recently announced "New
Horizons" initiative to invest $1
billion to fully upgrade its travel centers with more
premium amenities and offerings that aren't typically available at
current EV charging locations. Guests will have access to free
Wi-Fi at most locations, expanded seating and lounge areas, updated
and modernized restrooms, on-site restaurants including Pilot's
signature fresh hot and cold deli, premium coffee, and shopping for
travel essentials and souvenirs while their vehicles are charging.
Pilot and Flying J travel centers are open 24/7, ensuring that team
members are always onsite to provide consistently high service to
guests.
Beyond this program, GM and Pilot Company will continue working
with key stakeholders to use new and existing public-private
programs to accelerate the development of more public EV charging
infrastructure.
1.Actual charge times will vary based on
vehicle capabilities and settings.
2.2021 Escalent Study, "2021 EV Adoption
Barriers."
About General Motors
General Motors (NYSE:GM) is
a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that
is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy
is the Ultium battery platform, which will power everything from
mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its
subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under
the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac,
Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the
company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global
leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found
at https://www.gm.com.
About Pilot Company
Pilot Travel Centers LLC ("Pilot
Company") keeps North America's
drivers moving as one of the leading suppliers of fuel and the
largest operator of travel centers. Founded in 1958 and
headquartered in Knoxville,
Tennessee, Pilot Company has grown its network to more than
800 retail and fueling locations and supplies more than 14 billion
gallons of fuel per year to the market. Pilot Company has fourth
largest tanker fleet with more than 1,600 trucks that supply DEF,
bio and renewable fuels, and provides hauling and disposal services
to the oil field sector. Pilot Company serves 1.3 million guests
per day and provides over 70,000 fleet customers with solutions for
fuel, credit, factoring, services and rewards. Its Pilot and Flying
J travel center network includes over 750 locations in 44
states and five Canadian provinces with more than 790 restaurants,
75,000 truck parking spaces, 5,300 deluxe showers, 6,200 diesel
lanes and offers truck maintenance and tire service with Southern
Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J. The One9 Fuel Network connects a
variety of fueling locations to provide smaller fleets and
independent professional drivers with everyday value, convenience,
credit and perks. More information on locations and rewards are
available in the myRewards PlusTM app.
Pilot Company is currently ranked No. 7 on Forbes' list of
America's Largest Private Companies. For additional information
about Pilot Company, its 30,000 team members and commitment to
giving back, visit www.pilotcompany.com.
About EVgo
EVgo (Nasdaq: EVGO) is the nation's largest public fast charging
network for electric vehicles. As of the end of the first quarter
2022, with more than 850 charging locations, EVgo's owned and
operated charging network serves over 60 metropolitan areas across
more than 30 states and approximately 375,000 customer accounts.
Founded in 2010, EVgo leads the way on transportation
electrification, partnering with automakers; fleet and rideshare
operators; retail hosts such as hotels, shopping centers, gas
stations and parking lot operators; and other stakeholders to
deploy advanced charging technology to expand network availability
and make it easier for drivers across the U.S. to enjoy the
benefits of driving an EV. As a charging technology first mover,
EVgo works closely with business and government leaders to
accelerate the ubiquitous adoption of EVs by providing a reliable
and convenient charging experience close to where drivers live,
work and play, whether for a daily commute or a commercial
fleet.
Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking
Statements: This press release and related comments
by General Motors management may include "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws.
Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements
of historical fact. Forward-looking statements represent our
current judgement about possible future events and are often
identified by words such as "aim," "anticipate," "appears,"
"approximately," "believe," "continue," "could," "designed,"
"effect," "estimate," "evaluate," "expect," "forecast," "goal,"
"initiative," "intend," "may," "objective," "outlook," "plan,"
"potential," "priorities," "project," "pursue," "seek," "should,"
"target," "when," "will," "would," or the negative of any of those
words or similar expressions. In making these statements, General
Motors rely upon assumptions and analysis based on its experience
and perception of historical trends, current conditions, and
expected future developments, as well as other factors it considers
appropriate under the circumstances. General Motors believes these
judgements are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees
of any future events or financial results, and actual results may
differ materially due to a variety of important factors, many of
which are described in General Motors' most recent Annual Report on
Form 10-K and its other filings with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission. General Motors caution readers not to place
undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date they are made, and General
Motors undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events, or other factors that affect the
subject of these statements, except where General Motors is
expressly required to do so by law.
View original
content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gm-and-pilot-company-to-build-out-coast-to-coast-ev-fast-charging-network-301586678.html
SOURCE General Motors Co.