DENVER - Gov. Jared Polis joined governors from Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming late last week to reaffirm a multi-state partnership to coordinate electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure along major transportation corridors throughout the Intermountain West region.
Signing a new Regional Electric Vehicle (REV) West Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)—which updates an MOU signed by the states in October 2017—REV West governors will work to ensure drivers can “seamlessly drive an electric vehicle across the Signatory States’ major transportation corridors.” The MOU guides actions by REV West states to foster public and private sector investment in EV charging stations and grow EV adoption in the region.
“In the absence of federal leadership, states like Colorado are leading the way in finding solutions to address climate change and increase convenience for motorists. We are committed to enhancing the Colorado way of life and ensuring Coloradans and people across the West have the opportunity to travel freely in their electric vehicles,” said Governor Jared Polis. “Our goal in Colorado is to reach 100 percent renewable energy by 2040. Increasing consumer choice and supporting an electric vehicle infrastructure will help save people money and protect our planet.”
Gov. Polis opened his term this January by issuing Executive Order Supporting a Transition to Zero Emission Vehicles, which set directives to accelerate the widespread electrification of cars, buses, trucks and other vehicles with a goal of 940,000 EVs on Colorado roads by 2030. To further support the electrification of transportation in Colorado, Gov. Polis signed into law five electric vehicle related bills passed during the 2019 legislative session, extending EV tax credits through 2025 and requiring utilities to invest in EV infrastructure.
In 2018, Coloradans bought about 70% more EVs than the previous year, and Colorado jumped to become a top five state in the U.S. for EV market share. The state’s Charge Ahead Colorado program has awarded grants for more than 930 EV charging stations since 2013. To further build-out publicly-accessible EV infrastructure and support consumer choice, Colorado contracted with ChargePoint earlier this year to establish fast-charging corridors across the state in 2020 and worked with the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers in a cooperative effort for the August zero emission vehicle rulemaking with the Air Quality Control Commission.The fast-charging corridors will include I-25, I-70, I-76 as well as highways 40, 50 and 550, both meeting Colorado’s commitments under the REV West MOU and helping ensure EVs are accessible to both rural and urban communities.
The REV West states also released Voluntary Minimum Standards for Direct-Current Fast Charging (DCFC) stations to guide public and private sectors in developing EV charging stations and provide a consistent, easy experience for EV owners.
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