Photo: EVgo
“Tesla could not meet program standards” for Oklahoma's NEVI EV charger installation, so EVgo took over.
As Electrek first reported in April, Oklahoma approved more than $8 million in grants to Tesla, Love's Travel Stops, and Francis Energy to build DC fast chargers within its counties.
The three companies would provide $7 million in private equity financing to build 13 DC fast charging stations. The first round of awards will complete the construction of I-35, I-40, and I-44 as Alternative Fuel Corridors.
Tesla was supposed to install three Superchargers on I-44 exit 240 in Catoosa, I-40 exit 240B in Henryetta, and I-44 exit 125B in Oklahoma City. To be eligible for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program funding, they had to be equipped with Magic Docks – that is, CCS compatibility.
However, OK Power Today reports that Oklahoma Transportation Commissioners unanimously approved Tesla's replacement with second-place EVgo yesterday.
Jared Schennesen, director of multiple divisions for the nine commissions, said:
Tesla was unable to meet the program's standards for the gap provided by I-44 in Oklahoma City.
For not meeting the requirements of the program, ODOT required that the award be revoked from Tesla directly[ed] on government procurement rules and awarded to EVgo who came second by this gap.
Schennesen did not specify how Tesla was unable to meet the program's standards, but the article goes on to note that EVgo has significantly reduced its costs compared to Tesla's project costs:
EVgo won the award for a total of $519,740, and Schennesen said it reduced the total cost of the project by $317,932. The state share of the project will increase by $201,781 bringing the final total to $801,780.
EVgo has more than 1,000 DC fast charging locations in 40 states and serves more than 65 metropolitan areas.
Oklahoma's NEVI EV charging installation program, EVOK, is responsible for spending $66 million from 2022-27 in NEVI Formula Program funds to create a statewide EV charging network. The federal NEVI program provides $5 billion over five years to help US states create a network of EV charging stations. Funding comes from the Dual Infrastructure Act.
The NEVI program requires EV charging stations to be located every 50 miles and within one mile of the Alternative Fuel Corridor. EV charging stations must include at least four ports with connectors capable of charging four EVs simultaneously at 150 kilowatts (kW) each, with a total station capacity of 600 kW or more.
Charging stations must have 24-hour public accessibility and provide services such as restrooms, food and beverage, and lodging.
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