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    Washington state gaining 350-kW Ultra-Fast EV Chargers

    May 19, 2023
    The 21 locations include new locales such as Port Orchard, Kingston, Gig Harbor, Bainbridge Island and Port Townsend. Project marks the introduction of ultra-fast chargers, reducing battery recharging time to as little as 30 minutes
    Image credit EVCS
    Evcs 64677f1f51102

    California-based EV fast-charging network builder EVCS has begun work on adding 52 new direct-current fast chargers across the state of Washington.

    The first of the 21 locations are expected to open for the public in June. The complete expansion should be completed by the end of the year, EVCS reported.

    EVCS notes that the project also marks the introduction of ultra-fast chargers with 175 kW and 350 kW equipment, reducing battery recharge time to as little as 30 minutes. Each location will offer a Level 2 charger and a 110V outlet, accommodating all types of EVs, e-bikes, and e-scooters.

    The 21 locations include nine new locales, such as Port Orchard, Kingston, Gig Harbor, Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo, and Port Townsend. This expansion will be particularly beneficial for residents, tourists, and commuters who rely on ferry transportation in these areas. Additionally, EVCS will provide service along the Cascade Loop National Scenic Byway with new locations in Twisp, Pateros, and Newhalem, helping alleviate range anxiety for drivers traveling the scenic route.

    The Washington State Department of Transportation selected Forth, Energy Northwest, and EVCS for the expansion project under the Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Partnerships (ZEVIP) program in September 2022. EVCS says it remains committed to supporting EV adoption in the state of Washington and expanding its services. This initiative builds upon the company’s acquisition of 12 initial charging locations as part of the West Coast Electric Highway.

    “Our goal is to democratize the EV charging experience by tackling some of the largest hurdles EV drivers face today,” said Gustavo Occhiuzzo, CEO and Co-Founder at EVCS. “This includes access to reliable and fast public EV charging across all applications, simplified pricing, and location convenience. With help from the ZEVIP grant, we’re able to address these issues for Washington EV drivers, making EV adoption more seamless.”

    The electric vehicle market is growing, although slowly, in the state of Washington. EVs made up six percent of new vehicle registrations this time last year, according to a story in the Seattle Times.

    In King County, the state’s most populous county, EVs accounted for nearly 12 percent of new car sales in the past year, according to other news reports. 

    About the Author

    EnergyTech Staff

    Rod Walton is senior editor for EnergyTech.com. He has spent 14 years covering the energy industry as a newspaper and trade journalist.

    Walton formerly was energy writer and business editor at the Tulsa World. Later, he spent six years covering the electricity power sector for Pennwell and Clarion Events. He joined Endeavor and EnergyTech in November 2021.

    He can be reached at [email protected]. 

    EnergyTech is focused on the mission critical and large-scale energy users and their sustainability and resiliency goals. These include the commercial and industrial sectors, as well as the military, universities, data centers and microgrids.

    Many large-scale energy users such as Fortune 500 companies, and mission-critical users such as military bases, universities, healthcare facilities, public safety and data centers, shifting their energy priorities to reach net-zero carbon goals within the coming decades. These include plans for renewable energy power purchase agreements, but also on-site resiliency projects such as microgrids, combined heat and power, rooftop solar, energy storage, digitalization and building efficiency upgrades.