CPS Energy “Charged-Up” for new Electrify America EV charging station
Do you ever find yourself in your boring minivan or cookie-cutter SUV, and all of a sudden at a stoplight, you notice one of the latest electric vehicles (EVs) has pulled up next to you?
You know how responsive EVs are, their amazing torque, and most of all, the fact they reduce emissions and even save you money. So what’s stopping you? More than likely it’s all the supposed mystery behind having to charge the vehicle—like you do your iPhone—and the range anxiety that comes with it. That’s the feeling you get when you are worried about getting through the day without depleting your entire battery charge in your EV.
Well, the good news is that CPS Energy, Electrify America and your local Walmart Superstore are aiming to answer a lot of those questions and calm that range anxiety of yours. Powered by CPS Energy, Electrify America celebrated its latest offering of high-powered electric vehicle charging stations for the San Antonio community. The new charging station has been installed at the Walmart Supercenter located at 4331 Thousand Oaks.
The Electrify America station features six 150 kilowatt (kW) and two 350kW chargers. Best of all, the EV charging station is operational and ready for customers to use. These are the first Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC) installed in San Antonio, which are the most high-powered chargers available on the market today. An official ribbon cutting of the new installations took place on Monday, May 13, 2019 and representatives from the City of San Antonio, CPS Energy, Electrify America and Walmart were on hand to join in on the announcement.
The utility got into the EV world back in 2011 when it launched its education program for early adopters. By 2012, CPS Energy installed a network of Level 2 public charging stations at more than 30 locations across the city. Since then, the community-owned utility has installed charging stations with multiple ports in VIA’s newest and largest park & ride facility located in far north San Antonio and launched an EV educational website to help customers navigate this fast-growing industry.
“While we own and maintain our own network of EV charging stations, we have an enhanced focus on enabling others to build stations,” said Paula Gold-Williams, CPS Energy’s President & CEO. “We have the exciting opportunity to leverage new technologies and partnerships like this one with Electrify America and Walmart. The efforts that our partners are making will certainly help to get more EVs on the road.”
Electrify America is quickly becoming a household name for EV enthusiasts as they work to install 484 charging stations with more than 2,000 DCFC’s nationwide by the end of 2019. The stations are located in metropolitan areas and along high-traffic corridors in 42 states and the District of Columbia.
Walmart is showing a commitment to EV expansion, using its size and scale for good, with the goal to enhance economic opportunity, encourage sustainability and strengthen local communities.
Related Story: Get on the racetrack to a cleaner city with EVs
The use of EVs is expected to grow rapidly in our community and will have considerable environmental benefits for Bexar County and surrounding areas. So the next time you find yourself at a stoplight gazing at an EV, head to CPS Energy’s “Power Up with Electric Vehicles” webpage and get in the know. If you already have an EV, go charge your vehicle and maybe do a little shopping while you’re at it.
