The trip from Reno to Denver is about 1,100 miles, and can be made just through the states of Nevada, Utah and Colorado.
If the three governors of those states have their way, people with electric cars will be able to drive that route – as well as routes that include Las Vegas and Salt Lake and everything in between – without having to worry about charging their cars.
They are putting electric charging stations along all the major interstates in their states, and making charging your car as easy as getting gas.
This builds on the work Nevada has already begun with the Electric Highway between Las Vegas and Reno.
“This agreement with Utah and Colorado is really just a way to build off of our existing efforts,” said Angela Dykema the director of the Governor's Office of Energy.
Dykema said they'll be focusing on I-15 and I-80. They're looking at the most practical sites to put the charging stations along those roads. On the section of I-15 that passes through Nevada, Dykema said they've identified three sites: the stateline with California, the intersection of U.S. 93 and I-15 and the stateline of Nevada and Arizona near Mesquite.
The charging stations will include both a level 2 charger, which is slower and mostly used by older electric vehicles, and the DC charger, which is much faster.
Nevada already has charging stations in Beatty and Fallon. Another station is being built in the Tonopah area. Dykema said for the first five years charging at the stations will be free, but in the future, that might change.
She said all three states will be working together to coordinate their efforts, but Nevada plans to have it's stations ready to go by 2020.
Angela Dykema, Director of the Governor’s Office of Energy
