Electrify America has announced installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging locations at 100 Walmart locations in 34 states including four to five Walmart locations in Oklahoma. Specific locations have not yet been announced but Electrify America and Walmart plan to complete station construction by June 2019.

Dieselgate

The EV infrastructure rollout is a part of Volkswagen’s (VW) ‘dieselgate’ settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

According to Electrify America, their DC fast chargers will offer 20 miles of range per minute of charging, seven times faster than today’s standard DC fast chargers. All charging stations will include CCS and CHAdeMO connectors to ensue all fast-charging capable EV’s can charge at the stations.

The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) through the Central Oklahoma Clean Cities Coalition has advanced electric vehicle adoption in the state since 1996. Adoption has accelerated quickly in the last decade as billions of dollars have been invested in electric vehicle and vehicle battery technology. ACOG has recently worked with public and private sector partners to convene the Oklahoma Electric Vehicle Coalition to further advance adoption of EV’s.

Oklahoma’s EV Corridors

In November 2016, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) designated all of Oklahoma’s Interstate highways as ‘planned’ EV corridors. ACOG partnered with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG) in nominating the interstate for this designation.

Additionally, ACOG in partnership with other Oklahoma Electric Vehicle Coalition members including INCOG, OGE Energy Corp. (OG&E), and Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) provided input directly to Electrify America regarding opportunities for EV growth in Oklahoma.

“Central Oklahoma is at America’s crossroads of I-35, I-40, and I-44; installation of EV charging is crucial in addressing our changing transportation needs,” said John Sharp, ACOG Acting Executive Director. “We are very pleased to see outside investment in Oklahoma’s EV charging network.”

Cleaner Central Oklahoma Air

Increased EV adoption in Oklahoma supports domestic energy use and energy independence which supports Oklahoma’s economy. EV’s have zero-tailpipe-emissions contributing to cleaner Central Oklahoma air.

As Oklahoma’s electric grid continues to get cleaner, EV driving will only get more environmentally-friendly. As of now, an electric vehicle charging on Oklahoma’s grid is as clean as a conventional car that gets 49 miles per gallon (MPG).