Consumers have long been concerned about range capabilities of electric vehicles. To allay some of those fears, General Motors and EVgo want to add more than 2,700 fast chargers to the nation’s largest public fast-charging network. The move will be phased in over the next five years.

New EV fast-charging stations to begin rolling out

General Motors and EVgo will add the fast-charging stations in urban and suburban settings. Consumers will have more fast-charging locations as part of the program’s roll-out. This will provide additional access for drivers who can not have fast chargers at their homes, such as in rental situations. It will also provide alternative locations for drivers who find the current locations increasingly crowded. Grocery stores, retail stores, entertainment centers, and high traffic locations will be the target for new installations. Fast-charging is geared to provide a quick charge while people are shopping in different establishments.

Referring to this new move, GM Chairman and CEO, Mary Barra said,

“We are moving quickly to bring new EVs to market that customers will love. We know how important the charging ecosystem is for drivers, one that includes access to convenient and reliable public fast-charging. Our relationship with EVgo will bolster the public fast-charging network available to EV customers ahead of increased market demand and reinforce our commitment to an all-electric, zero-emissions future.”

The implementation of the new program will build on EVgo’s current network. That network currently has over 800 charging locations across the nation. This makes it the largest public fast-charging network in the nation. The first new fast-charging station under the program will become available to consumers in early 2021 and will be powered by renewable energy.

Ultium batteries for electric vehicles

General Motors has been making a lot of progress toward an electrified future. In 2019, the company announced a joint venture with LG Chem called, Ultium Cells LLC. Together, the companies will mass-produce battery cells for future vehicles.

A manufacturing plant dedicated to electric vehicles

Earlier this year, General Motors also announced that one of its plants, Detroit-Hamtramck, would produce electric vehicles solely. That is where the new GMC Hummer pickup and SUV will be produced. But the company did not stop there. General Motors also committed to having renewable energy as the source for all of its US plants by 2030, and non-US plants by 2040.

A new electric model from General Motors

In addition to plant electrification and new supercharging stations, General Motors is also working on a global EV platform. That platform is expected to use the Ultium battery technology mentioned earlier to underpin new models. One of those models may be an all-electric new car that will be debuting Thursday. The car will be part of the Cadillac lineup.

All manufacturers are taking a hard look at electrification

Electrification is a growing segment in the automotive industry. Consequently, many automotive manufacturers are currently taking a deep, hard look at the future and determining how best to meet electric vehicle demand, make electrification more appealing to the public, and reduce the carbon footprints of their manufacturing plants and charging stations. General Motors seems to have a pretty good handle on that future by introducing a new electric vehicle, adding charging stations to reduce consumer range anxiety, and by making the transition to power its manufacturing plants with renewable energy. It’s a well-rounded approach to electrification.