Utility Proposal to Install Up to 265 EV Charging Stations in Eastern Washington

Utility Proposal to Install Up to 265 EV Charging Stations in Eastern Washington:
Plug In America Encourages Customer Support and Regulatory Approval 

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Mindy Berman
818-280-5106 (office) / 310-200-6980 (cell)

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 7, 2016—Plug In America, the nation’s leading nonprofit electric vehicle advocacy organization, is urging the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) to approve at its March 10 meeting an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Pilot Program requested by Spokane, Wash.-based investor-owned utility Avista Corporation.

Avista, which serves the Eastern Washington region, is proposing a two-year program to install, at virtually no cost to customers, up to 265 Level 2 residential, workplace and fleet EV chargers to collect data on  charging patterns and habits. The utility’s filing also includes seven DC Fast Charging units at public sites.

“Data collected through pilot projects like the one proposed by Avista provide valuable information to determine how to most efficiently deploy infrastructure to expand the adoption of EVs in Washington and nationwide,” said Plug In America Executive Director Joel Levin. He added that approval and implementation of Avista’s proposal will:

  • Support Washington’s state policy to encourage greater use of EVs because of their environmental, economic and citizen health benefits;
  • Assess whether widespread EV adoption can reduce electricity rates for all utility ratepayers; and
  • Identify differences between metropolitan and rural charging behaviors to help develop optimal EV adoption policies.

Plug In America encourages businesses and consumers to demonstrate their support for Avista’s proposal via letter to the UTC or through an in-person or phone statement. Find additional details here.

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About Plug In America: Plug In America, a San Francisco-based national nonprofit organization, works to accelerate the shift to plug-in vehicles powered by clean, affordable, domestic electricity to reduce our nation’s dependence on petroleum and improve the global environment. The organization conceived National Drive Electric Week and has advanced workplace charging by pioneering regular ride-and-drive events at such leading corporations as Google, Mattel and Paramount Pictures. It developed the world’s largest, most dedicated network of plug-in vehicle owners and drivers, many of whom have driven EVs for well over a decade. We drive electric. You can, too. pluginamerica.org.

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