The “West Coast Electric Highway” is an extensive, tri-state network of electric vehicle (EV) DC fast charging stations along Interstate 5. When complete, the Electric Highway will span the 1,300 miles from the Canadian border to the Mexican border and with public fast charging locations every 25-60 miles.

DC fast charge stations located along the Electric Highway allow drivers to re-charge mass-produced electric vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi “i MiEV” in 30 minutes or less.  Each location also includes Level 2 equipment to re-charge other plug in electric vehicles such as the Ford Focus and Chevrolet Volt. Additional information on these charging stations, produced by AeroVironment, is available elsewhere on the ESCI-KSP.

The West Coast Electric Highway connects electric vehicle drivers with fast charging between EV-friendly communities along Interstate 5. The initiative complements The EV Project, a $230 million US Department of Energy project to deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure in six states including Washington, Oregon, and California. Located at strategic points along Interstate 5, the stations provide a backbone for EV charging along the corridor connecting cities with robust EV charging such as Vancouver, British Columbia, Seattle, and Portland.

At the end of 2012, when the combined projects are complete, the West Coast will have the nation’s longest and most robust charging network with thousands of Level 2 charging pedestals and more than 100 DC fast chargers. Electric vehicle drivers will find convenient re-charging locations along the major roadways where they can refuel their cars in just 20-30 minutes and get back on the road.

A list of locations charging locations can be found here.