On July 26, 2021, the Electric Highway Coalition (EHC) announced that its membership has more than doubled since its founding and now includes 14 companies.[1] The EHC is a partnership committed to creating a network of DC fast charging stations along U.S. highway routes to enable long-distance electric vehicle (EV) travel. The original members of the EHC were American Electric Power, Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Entergy Corporation, Southern Co., and the Tennessee Valley Authority. The new members are AVANGRID, Consolidated Edison, DTE Energy, Eversource Energy, Exelon, FirstEnergy Corp., ITC Holdings Corp., and National Grid. Together, the coalition members represent 29 states and the District of Columbia and serve more than 60 million customers.

The EHC initially announced plans to create a network of DC fast charging stations in March 2021. The recent announcement included further defining the coalition’s goals and objectives. Coalition members have agreed to cooperate to ensure reliable fast charging deployment plants that will allow for long-distance EV travel, avoid duplicating charging infrastructure between member utilities, and complement existing corridor fast charging sites. One goal is to set up sites that are easily accessible and located less than 100 miles apart, with at least two charging stations with universal vehicle compatibility in each area. Member companies will also consider additional features such as real-time status reporting for drivers and convenient payment collection. The EHC noted that effective EV charging buildout will vary from area to area, and its members are working closely with stakeholders in their service territories to determine the best approaches. Each member will determine its own specific pricing models and choose its own charging equipment providers.

[1] https://www.aep.com/news/releases/read/7190/Electric-Highway-Coalition-Grows-to-14-Members-More-Than-Doubling-Participation