2023 Has Been A Good 12 months For EV Charging In The Southwest

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Lengthy-time readers will keep in mind a loopy journey I took again in 2019. On the time, there have been only a few charging stations in New Mexico and Arizona, particularly for non-Tesla EVs. My Nissan LEAF struggled with not solely that, however the Rapidgate situation, and that’s even within the spring when the Southwest isn’t extremely popular. However, issues have modified so much within the Southwest, and I wished to write down an article exhibiting how a lot issues improved.

New Mexico

In New Mexico, one of many largest contributors to enchancment was Francis Vitality. As I’ve written about earlier than, that firm had a variety of issues increasing into New Mexico over the previous couple of years. The massive drawback there was COVID-related provide chain points, adopted by unhealthy experiences with earlier fashions of charging {hardware} (akin to what Electrify America has skilled). So, Francis needed to re-do their plans for New Mexico, get further funding for quicker, extra dependable chargers, after which get them put in.

In 2023, plenty of key chargers had been put in that profit everyone. In southeast New Mexico, there aren’t even Tesla Superchargers, so these have been an enormous assist to all EV drivers. Artesia, Roswell, Hobbs, and Vaughn had been notably useful, and there are nonetheless some stations coming quickly for 2024 that may fill in additional gaps alongside the way in which.

One other key hall Francis helped open up was I-25 south of Albuquerque. It wasn’t till this 12 months that this stretch of highway bought any CCS or CHAdeMO charging. Francis lastly put in a station in Fact or Penalties, and the State of New Mexico lastly bought long-promised chargers in Socorro. These open up not solely the hall, but in addition highways to the east and west of the interstate. Vacationer websites just like the Very Massive Array at the moment are simpler to get to with all EVs.

New Mexico additionally bought some key redundant stations in Deming and Roswell that had been put in by NMDOT. These are four-stall ChargePoint builds which have good roof constructions over them. A number of different Dieselgate-funded stations have additionally gone in across the state on NMDOT property.

Simply within the final couple of days, a brand new station additionally popped up in Farmington, lastly bringing some much-needed reduction to the northwest a part of the state. It sucks that it’s solely 50 kW and at a automobile vendor, however it’s higher than nothing and a few higher ones are going to open up quickly at a state property.

Arizona

2023 was additionally a fantastic 12 months for non-Tesla EV charging in Arizona.

One main enchancment away from the Interstates has been APS-branded Electrify Industrial chargers put in across the state. A few of these opened up in 2022, however a number of of them opened up simply this 12 months. These have made it straightforward to succeed in practically the entire state in EVs, together with some locations that had been powerful to get to with a Tesla. One notably superior factor (at the least for me) that’s opened up is the power to take a back-road between El Paso and Phoenix, avoiding probably the most boring components of I-10.

One of many coolest issues that occurred was that Electrify America lastly put in charging for different EVs in Tusayan, simply south of the doorway to Grand Canyon Nationwide Park. This isn’t solely an essential vacationer website for the state, but in addition offers individuals a possibility to journey to extra components of the Navajo Nation.

Lastly, the Rivian Journey Community can also be making a huge impact. A number of key locations, even alongside interstates at the moment are coated and may quickly be open to all EVs.

Utah and Colorado

Most individuals take into account at the least the southern stretches of Utah and Colorado to be a part of the Southwest. Some progress has been made there, too.

One large story was that Moab, Utah lastly bought some charging mojo again. Tesla has been there for some time, and even has a second website, however the lone one-stall CCS station on the town was beginning to get busy. Then, there was a giant flood in 2022 and it broke. Then, it by no means bought repaired.

Tesla was cool sufficient so as to add Magic Dock to one of many stations, which opened the city again up for CCS autos. The proprietor of the earlier station, Rocky Mountain Energy, plans to put in a brand new station utilizing Electrify Industrial tools, so there’s quickly going to be some critical EV charging availability within the city once more.

One other large enchancment occurred in Southern Colorado. The state operated a number of ChargePoint stations that had been sort of gradual. However, they went via and upgraded stations all alongside the southwest finish of the state. Now there are far fewer issues and much more velocity going via.

Nonetheless A Lot Of Room For Enchancment

Whereas a variety of progress has been made, there’s nonetheless a variety of room for enchancment.

Far west Texas nonetheless wants a variety of assist. I-10 is roofed, however roads stretching all the way down to the Large Bend and up into New Mexico are EV useless zones. Even just a few strategically-placed EV charging stations would make a giant distinction.

New Mexico nonetheless has a giant hole on the western finish of the state. US-180 has no EV charging and no identified plans for any. It’s not NEVI-eligible, both. US-60 is in the identical boat. These routes may not appear essential on the floor, however they’re nice shortcuts between widespread locations and there are just a few gems on the market, like The Catwalk and VLA (amongst others).

One other useless zone with no plans is mainly the entire Navajo Nation. States and the federal authorities are doing what they often do, and ignore the place as a lot as they’ll get away with.

Whereas the South Rim of the Grand Canyon bought some DCFC love, the North Rim isn’t going to get something for a protracted, very long time. The path to it’s uncared for, because it passes via Navajo territory, however different key spots like Jacob’s Lake may use some assist.

Lastly, the southeast a part of Arizona is useless with little deliberate to assist. Safford, Arizona has a fairly first rate inhabitants, however nothing together with NEVI will add charging there. The identical is true for border cities, like Douglas. These cities aren’t alongside the interstate, however they’re going to overlook out on vacationers as EVs develop in reputation.

However, regardless of these gaps, there’s nonetheless so much to be glad about as we attain the top of the 12 months. Not way back, it was far worse.

Featured picture: a screenshot from Plugshare.com.