Iowa-based utility MidAmerican Energy Co. has launched an effort to establish a network of electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging stations throughout Iowa.
The company plans to build publicly accessible, DC fast-charging stations, with two charging plugs per station, in 15 urban and rural communities. A DC fast-charger, also called a Level 3 charger, can generally charge an EV in 20-45 minutes.
MidAmerican Energy is now accepting applications from businesses and community entities in targeted areas that are interested in hosting charging facilities that MidAmerican Energy will purchase, install and maintain. The company will select at least one location in each targeted area.
MidAmerican Energy seeks to install DC fast-charging sites in Altoona, Avoca, Carroll, Clarinda, Davenport, Dexter, Early, Emmetsburg, Iowa City, Fort Dodge, Little Sioux, Oskaloosa, Sheldon, Sioux City and Waterloo, which are all within the company’s service territory.
“We’re investing in a program that supports our customers by making emission-free driving more attractive and convenient,” says Nick Nation, electric operations general manager. “This goes hand-in-hand with MidAmerican Energy’s vision to provide our customers with 100 percent clean, renewable energy.”
Once MidAmerican Energy selects site hosts, the company plans to begin building the charging network by the end of the year. Charging station hosts will set their own usage fees, consistent with state laws and regulations.
“Car owners and potential buyers tell us access to charging stations within reach of the routes they drive will improve their confidence the electric vehicle will meet their needs,” Nation says. “We’ve come up with a plan to address the range anxiety issue by building an infrastructure of 15 fast-charging stations across Iowa that should be within roughly 50 miles of each other. We think our efforts will help jump-start Iowa’s electric vehicle industry.”
To further promote EV adoption in Iowa, this year, MidAmerican Energy started offering EV and charging station rebates to its customers. The company provides $500 rebates to residential customers who buy or lease a new EV, as well as $1,500 rebates to businesses that purchase Level 2 charging stations, which generally charge EVs in 4-8 hours.