ATLANTA, March 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Company
joins five other energy companies today in announcing plans to
ensure electric vehicle (EV) drivers have access to a seamless
network of charging stations connecting major highway systems
across significant regions of the country.
The Electric Highway Coalition – made up of Southern Company,
American Electric Power, Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Entergy
Corporation and the Tennessee Valley Authority – wants to
collaborate on a network of DC fast chargers from the Atlantic
Coast through the Midwest and South and into the Gulf and Central
Plains regions.
Southern Company and the other companies are each taking steps
to provide EV charging solutions within their systems' service
territory. Today's announcement represents an unprecedented
combined effort to offer EV drivers convenient charging across
different utility footprints and allow travel without
interruption.
The Edison Electric Institute estimates 18 million EVs will be
on U.S. roads by 2030. While many drivers recognize the many
benefits of driving an EV, such as the ease of low-cost home
charging, some have expressed concern with the availability of
charging stations during long road trips. With collaborative
efforts like the Electric Highway Coalition, energy companies
demonstrate to customers that EVs are a smart choice regardless of
distance.
The coalition will provide drivers with effective, efficient and
convenient charging options to enable long-distance electric
travel. Sites along major highways with easy access and amenities
for travelers are being considered as coalition members work to
determine final charging station locations. DC fast chargers can
get drivers back on the road in approximately 20-30 minutes.
"At Southern Company, we are committed to being a leader in
building a clean and sustainable energy future for our customers
and that includes continuing to increase the reach of electric
transportation for more and more drivers," said Chris Cummiskey, executive vice president, chief
commercial officer and customer solutions officer at Southern
Company. "By increasing the number of EV fast charging stations
across our footprint, we are providing drivers with additional
transportation options that are reliable, efficient and more
convenient while helping reduce carbon emissions for the benefit of
our communities we serve."
Being a founding member of the Electric Highway Coalition is
another part of Southern Company's larger focus on
electrification of the transportation
industry and commitment to sustainability and clean
energy. Along with the system-wide goal of net zero
greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, last year Southern Company
announced an internal fleet electrification goal where
the company plans to convert 50 percent of its electric
companies' fleet vehicles in the auto/SUV/minivan, forklift and
ATV/cart/miscellaneous equipment segments to electric by 2030.
The Electric Highway Coalition welcomes interested utilities to
join as it seeks to extend the reach of network. Additionally,
it supports and looks forward to working with other regional
utility transportation corridor electrification
initiatives.
About Southern Company
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is
a leading energy company serving 9 million customers through its
subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and
affordable energy through electric operating companies in three
states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a
competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across
America, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company, a
fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Southern
Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high
reliability and affordable prices below the national average. For
more than a century, we have been building the future of energy and
developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including
carbon-free nuclear, advanced carbon capture technologies, natural
gas, renewables, energy efficiency and storage technology. Through
an industry-leading commitment to innovation and a low-carbon
future, Southern Company and its subsidiaries develop the
customized energy solutions our customers and communities require
to drive growth and prosperity. Our uncompromising values ensure we
put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do
and govern our business to the benefit of our world. Our corporate
culture and hiring practices have been recognized nationally by the
U.S. Department of Defense, G.I. Jobs magazine, DiversityInc, Black
Enterprise, Forbes and the Women's Choice Award. To learn more,
visit www.southerncompany.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this release is forward-looking
information based on current expectations and plans that involve
risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes,
among other things, statements concerning emissions reduction goals
and fleet electrification goals. Southern Company cautions that
there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ
materially from the forward-looking information that has been
provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this
forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future
performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other
factors, many of which are outside the control of Southern Company;
accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results
will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those
discussed in Southern Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2020 and subsequent securities
filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from
management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking
information: the impact of recent and future federal and state
regulatory changes, as well as changes in application of existing
laws and regulations; available sources and costs of natural gas
and other fuels; the ability to control costs and avoid cost and
schedule overruns during the development, construction, and
operation of facilities or other projects; the ability to construct
facilities in accordance with the requirements of permits and
licenses, to satisfy any environmental performance standards and
the requirements of tax credits and other incentives, and to
integrate facilities into the Southern Company system upon
completion of construction; advances in technology, including the
pace and extent of development of low- to no-carbon energy
technologies and negative carbon concepts; performance of
counterparties under ongoing renewable energy partnerships and
development agreements; state and federal rate regulations and the
impact of pending and future rate cases and negotiations; and the
ability to successfully operate the electric utilities' generating,
transmission, and distribution facilities and Southern Company Gas'
natural gas distribution and storage facilities and the successful
performance of necessary corporate functions. Southern Company
expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward–looking
information.
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SOURCE Southern Company