GM Plans Installation of 40,000 Community-Based EV Charging Stations

DETROIT, Mich. — General Motors announced Tuesday its plans to expand access to electric vehicle charging infrastructure by installing more than 40,000 community-based charging stations and new smart EV supply equipment in the United States and Canada.

Starting in 2022, the program will see Level 2 EV chargers installed in communities, including underserved, rural and urban areas where EV charging access is often limited, according to a press release. It’s part of GM’s commitment to invest nearly $750 million to expand home, workplace and public charging infrastructure through its Ultium Charge 360 ecosystem.

Through its Dealer Community Charging Program, GM will work with its dealers to deploy Level 2 charging stations at key locations in the dealer’s respective communities, including workplaces, multi-unit dwellings, sports and entertainment venues and college and universities, among others, according to the release. Dealers will be given up to 10 stations to deploy. These charging stations will be available to all EV customers, not just those who purchase a GM EV. Today, nearly 90% of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a GM dealership.

Additionally, GM announced its new line of three Ultium-branded Level 2 smart EV charging stations will be offered to customers through dealerships and online to provide more home or commercial charging options.

“These two initiatives are part of our plan to put everyone in an EV, making access to charging even more seamless than before,” said GM President Mark Reuss. “We want to give customers the right tools and access to charging where and when they need it, while working with our dealer network to accelerate the expansion of accessible charging throughout the U.S. and Canada, including in underserved, rural and urban areas.”

GM’s family of Ultium Chargers will include:

• An 11.5 kilowatt/48-amp smart charger
• An 11.5 kW/48-amp premium smart charger
• A 19.2 kW/80-amp premium smart charger

All three chargers are Energy Star Certified with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability. Each charger features dynamic load balancing and can be upgraded over time through over-the-air updates with automatic download capabilities, according to the release. The two premium models include a customizable touchscreen and an embedded camera.

Customers can set their charging schedule, view statistics on their charging habits and historical charging sessions and receive readouts of charger status through the GM brand mobile apps.

The first Ultium Chargers will ship early next year with customers able to roll the price into their GM Financial lease or financial contracts.

Pictured: GM Ultium Charger (Image: General Motors)

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