GM and Pilot Company to Build Out Coast-to-Coast EV Fast Charging Network

Rhea-AI Summary

GM and Pilot Company announced a collaboration to establish a national DC fast charging network powered by EVgo eXtend, enhancing long-distance electric travel in the U.S. The network will feature 2,000 charging stalls co-branded as "Pilot Flying J" and integrated into GM's Ultium Charge 360 ecosystem, accessible to all EV brands. GM's investment in EV infrastructure totals nearly $750 million, aiming to install charging stations every 50 miles. The initiative targets 3,250 fast chargers by 2025 and combines public and private funding to reduce range anxiety for EV drivers.

Positive

• Collaboration to build 2,000 charging stalls enhances EV infrastructure.
• Exclusive benefits for GM customers include charging discounts and streamlined processes.
• Strategic partnership with EVgo, an industry leader in charging infrastructure.
• Total investment of nearly $750 million in EV charging infrastructure.

Negative

• None.

Powered by EVgo eXtend, this network will help enable long-distance electric travel across the U.S.

DETROIT and KNOXVILLE, Tenn., July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- To accelerate the widespread adoption of EVs, increase access to charging and help enable long-distance electric travel of people and vehicles across the U.S., GM and Pilot Company (Pilot and Flying J) are collaborating on a national DC fast charging network that will be installed, operated and maintained by EVgo through its eXtend offering. This project demonstrates how public and private entities can come together to build out the nation's charging infrastructure, particularly along American highways, connecting urban and rural communities, the East and West Coasts and different metropolitan areas.

This network of 2,000 charging stalls, co-branded "Pilot Flying J" and "Ultium Charge 360", will be powered by EVgo eXtend and open to all EV brands at up to 500 Pilot and Flying J travel centers. GM customers will receive special benefits like exclusive reservations, discounts on charging, a streamlined charging process through Plug and Charge and integration into GM's vehicle brand apps providing real-time charger availability and help with route planning. This collaboration is expected to enhance America's EV driving experience.

The Pilot and Flying J travel centers plan to feature numerous fast charging stalls provided by EVgo, including high power fast chargers capable of offering up to 350 kW¹. EVgo, which is also working with GM to add more than 3,250 fast chargers in American cities and suburbs by the end of 2025, was chosen as a strategic collaborator due to its expertise in building, operating and maintaining DC fast charging infrastructure. Many of these sites will feature canopies to help protect customers from the elements while charging, as well as pull-through capability allowing convenient charging for electric pickup trucks and SUVs pulling trailers.

"We are committed to an all-electric, zero-emissions future, and ensuring that the right charging infrastructure is in place is a key piece of the puzzle," said Mary Barra, GM Chair and Chief Executive Officer. "With travel centers across North America, Pilot Company is an ideal collaborator to reach a broad audience of EV drivers."

"GM and Pilot Company designed this program to combine private investments alongside intended government grant and utility programs to help reduce range anxiety and significantly close the gap in long-distance EV charger demand," said Shameek Konar, Pilot Company Chief Executive Officer. "Our travel centers are well-equipped to accommodate EV charging with 24/7 amenities and convenient proximity to major roadways across the country. We look forward to collaborating with GM and the U.S. Department of Transportation to make convenient coast-to-coast EV travel a reality through our national network of travel centers."

Third-party research shows that widespread access to highway charging, particularly in underserved urban and rural areas, is a significant barrier to mass EV adoption².

"EVgo, GM and Pilot Company share a commitment to building an electric fueling network that increases access and makes the shift to electrification as frictionless as possible for all. We look forward to this collaboration and ensuring the EVgo network provides nationwide coverage, including critical corridors for road trips," said Cathy Zoi, CEO at EVgo. "Through EVgo eXtend, we are demonstrating yet another innovative pathway to help America electrify — and showcasing why EVgo's technology and industry leadership make us the partner of choice to site hosts, automakers and drivers alike as we work together to deliver a cleaner future of transportation."  

This collaboration is targeting the installation of charging stalls at 50-mile intervals across the U.S. For GM, this development is one more step of its nearly $750 million investment in EV charging infrastructure, including:

• Enabling access to more than 100,000 charge points in the U.S. and Canada through its Ultium Charge 360 ecosystem
• Collaborating with EVgo to build out a network of 3,250 charging stalls in major metro areas by 2025
• Installing up to 40,000 chargers in local dealer communities through GM's Dealer Community Charging Program, focusing on underserved rural and urban areas

This project builds on Pilot Company's recently announced "New Horizons" initiative to invest $1 billion to fully upgrade its travel centers with more premium amenities and offerings that aren't typically available at current EV charging locations. Guests will have access to free Wi-Fi at most locations, expanded seating and lounge areas, updated and modernized restrooms, on-site restaurants including Pilot's signature fresh hot and cold deli, premium coffee, and shopping for travel essentials and souvenirs while their vehicles are charging. Pilot and Flying J travel centers are open 24/7, ensuring that team members are always onsite to provide consistently high service to guests.

Beyond this program, GM and Pilot Company will continue working with key stakeholders to use new and existing public-private programs to accelerate the development of more public EV charging infrastructure.

^1.Actual charge times will vary based on vehicle capabilities and settings. 

^2.2021 Escalent Study, "2021 EV Adoption Barriers."

About General Motors
General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which will power everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at https://www.gm.com.  

About Pilot Company
Pilot Travel Centers LLC ("Pilot Company") keeps North America's drivers moving as one of the leading suppliers of fuel and the largest operator of travel centers. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Company has grown its network to more than 800 retail and fueling locations and supplies more than 14 billion gallons of fuel per year to the market. Pilot Company has fourth largest tanker fleet with more than 1,600 trucks that supply DEF, bio and renewable fuels, and provides hauling and disposal services to the oil field sector. Pilot Company serves 1.3 million guests per day and provides over 70,000 fleet customers with solutions for fuel, credit, factoring, services and rewards. Its Pilot and Flying J travel center network includes over 750 locations in 44 states and five Canadian provinces with more than 790 restaurants, 75,000 truck parking spaces, 5,300 deluxe showers, 6,200 diesel lanes and offers truck maintenance and tire service with Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J. The One9 Fuel Network connects a variety of fueling locations to provide smaller fleets and independent professional drivers with everyday value, convenience, credit and perks. More information on locations and rewards are available in the myRewards Plus^TM app.

Pilot Company is currently ranked No. 7 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies. For additional information about Pilot Company, its 30,000 team members and commitment to giving back, visit www.pilotcompany.com.

About EVgo 
EVgo (Nasdaq: EVGO) is the nation's largest public fast charging network for electric vehicles. As of the end of the first quarter 2022, with more than 850 charging locations, EVgo's owned and operated charging network serves over 60 metropolitan areas across more than 30 states and approximately 375,000 customer accounts. Founded in 2010, EVgo leads the way on transportation electrification, partnering with automakers; fleet and rideshare operators; retail hosts such as hotels, shopping centers, gas stations and parking lot operators; and other stakeholders to deploy advanced charging technology to expand network availability and make it easier for drivers across the U.S. to enjoy the benefits of driving an EV. As a charging technology first mover, EVgo works closely with business and government leaders to accelerate the ubiquitous adoption of EVs by providing a reliable and convenient charging experience close to where drivers live, work and play, whether for a daily commute or a commercial fleet. 

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements: This press release and related comments by General Motors management may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact. Forward-looking statements represent our current judgement about possible future events and are often identified by words such as "aim," "anticipate," "appears," "approximately," "believe," "continue," "could," "designed," "effect," "estimate," "evaluate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "initiative," "intend," "may," "objective," "outlook," "plan," "potential," "priorities," "project," "pursue," "seek," "should," "target," "when," "will," "would," or the negative of any of those words or similar expressions. In making these statements, General Motors rely upon assumptions and analysis based on its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments, as well as other factors it considers appropriate under the circumstances. General Motors believes these judgements are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any future events or financial results, and actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors, many of which are described in General Motors' most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. General Motors caution readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and General Motors undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or other factors that affect the subject of these statements, except where General Motors is expressly required to do so by law.

 

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SOURCE General Motors Co.

FAQ

What is the collaboration between GM and EVgo?

GM and EVgo are collaborating to create a national DC fast charging network, enhancing EV travel across the U.S.

How many charging stalls will be built under the GM and Pilot Company partnership?

The partnership plans to build 2,000 charging stalls across the U.S.

What benefits will GM customers receive from the new EV charging network?

GM customers will enjoy exclusive reservations, discounted charging, and real-time charger availability through GM's vehicle apps.

What is the total planned investment for EV charging infrastructure by GM?

GM's total investment in EV charging infrastructure is nearly $750 million.

When is the target for installing 3,250 fast chargers in U.S. cities?

The target for installing 3,250 fast chargers in American cities is by the end of 2025.