Midwest governors agree on EV charging-network plan

The governors of 5 Midwestern states are working collectively on an an EV charging-network plan for the area.

First reported by NPR, the Regional Electric Vehicle Midwest Coalition—REV Midwest—plans to arrange charging stations throughout Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

A memorandum of understanding signed by all 5 governors particularly mentions charging for medium- and heavy-duty vans, as a method of facilitating financial growth within the area.

The doc additionally requires states to “identify and engage with historically disadvantaged communities” as a part of the electrification push.

The states will set up a process pressure to coordinate their efforts, however no timeline or targets for the variety of charging stations has been talked about to date. It’s additionally price noting that the memorandum of understanding isn’t legally binding, and doesn’t commit the 5 state governments to subsequent steps.

Announcement of the REV Midwest initiative comes shortly after Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer revealed a plan for wi-fi charging and a state-funded EV charging community.

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These initiatives, collectively, will assist flip round Michigan’s status as being a bit behind on charging and supporting EVs—regardless of it being the hub of the United States auto trade and never with out EV manufacturing.

Michigan should still have some work to do in a single different space, although. Despite an earlier authorized settlement, Michigan franchise regulation nonetheless prevents Tesla—and, we might assume, Rivian—from promoting autos straight within the state.

The Midwest venture comes about precisely 10 years after West Coast states allied to guarantee there was infrastructure for long-distance journey in EVs. Those similar states at the moment are pursuing the same effort to assist electrical industrial vans.