Crosscut Now
Aug. 18, 2022 - WA expansion of EV grid hits roadblocks
8/18/2022 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
Expansion of electric vehicle grid hits roadblocks in rural WA.
A new statewide plan would use federal dollars to build chargers every 50 miles, upgrading rural utilities and combating 'range anxiety.'
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Crosscut Now is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS
Crosscut Now
Aug. 18, 2022 - WA expansion of EV grid hits roadblocks
8/18/2022 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
A new statewide plan would use federal dollars to build chargers every 50 miles, upgrading rural utilities and combating 'range anxiety.'
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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The push to expand the electric vehicle grid faces challenges in rural Washington.
A new statewide plan would use federal dollars to build vehicle chargers every 50 miles.
Outside the Puget Sound area a conundrum plagues the world electric vehicle market.
Without enough charging stations, range anxiety over getting stranded far from a charger continues to discourage rural adoption.
Without more EVs on the road, building new charging sites isn't profitable for the private market.
Less than 2% of the state's existing charger sites meet the latest federal standards while others become obsolete as more efficient chargers emerge.
Many locations require costly utility upgrades or high operation costs.
If the state can't get ahead of those concerns, EV advocates warn rural drivers could be left behind.
I'm Jay Martin Jr. Find nonprofit Northwest news every day on crosscut.com.
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Crosscut Now is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS