Wisconsin has recently launched its first three EV fast charging stations in Ashland, Chippewa Falls, and Menominee, thanks to funding from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula program. These stations are strategically located in rural areas that attract a lot of visitors due to tourism and their proximity to key highway corridors.
Each of the charging stations is equipped with four ports that feature both CCS and J3400 connectors, capable of delivering up to 150 kW per port. Additionally, these NEVI-funded stations are required to provide 24-hour public accessibility and amenities such as restrooms, food and beverages, and shelter. Furthermore, they must be situated within one travel mile of the Alternative Fuel Corridor.
The stations are conveniently located at local Kwik Trips, a Wisconsin-based gas station chain that caters to over 12 million customers weekly across six states. This partnership aims to make the charging experience easily accessible and build consumer trust in EV infrastructure.
Gabe Klein, the executive director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, expressed his enthusiasm for expanding the NEVI network to provide consumers with accessible charging options during their travels. He highlighted the importance of community-based EV charging, especially for families visiting college campuses, cabins, or embarking on holiday road trips.
These stations are part of Kwik Trip’s Kwik Charge program, which will offer DC fast chargers to guests traveling throughout the Midwest. Kwik Trip has received $8.1 million in NEVI funds to install chargers at 24 of its locations in Wisconsin. To enhance the user experience, the company is developing an app using Driivz’s software, allowing EV drivers to locate Kwik Charge chargers, check availability, and view pricing information.
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