Pilot Travel Centers, General Motors, and EVgo Inc. recently opened the first 17 nationwide electric vehicle charging network locations. Now available in 13 states, the network provides EV travelers the same amenities as Pilot and Flying J travel centers.
“EV drivers are eager for a better charging experience and to have more charging locations along America’s most traveled corridors. These new charging locations and the many more to come will be critical for improving range confidence,” said Adam Wright, Pilot Travel Centers CEO. “As interest in EVs continues to grow, we believe our network can be a catalyst to getting more EV drivers on the road.”
Pilot Travel Centers, GM, and EVgo, along with multiple public agencies and utilities, have worked together to grow public, fast-charging infrastructure, creating a model for how public-private collaboration can make measurable progress in accelerating broader access to EV charging. The three have worked to provide EV drivers with a thoughtful, practical, and accessible charging experience for long-distance travel.
Many locations throughout the network offer a variety of 24/7 amenities, products, and services, including:
- Multiple fast-charging stalls at each site, with chargers capable of delivering up to 350kW.
- Canopies to help protect drivers from the elements during charging.
- Pull-through charging stalls to accommodate EV towing.
- Centrally located chargers in well-lit areas, monitored around the clock by onsite staff.
- Access to restrooms, food and beverage options, and free Wi-Fi.
- Plug and charge compatibility for a streamlined charging experience.
A digital user experience has also been built into this network—EV travelers can find available charging locations via GM’s vehicle brand apps, Pilot’s myRewards Plus app, the EVgo app, PlugShare, and other applications designed for EV drivers. Beginning in spring 2024, GM and Pilot Travel Centers will introduce exclusive benefits for GM drivers, including the ability to reserve a charger and discounts on charging. All EV travelers can save at Pilot and Flying J locations with regular deals on food, beverages, and merchandise available in the myRewards Plus app.
See also: Is the EV boom turning into a bust?
“As GM continues to advance its vision of an all-electric future, we’re collaborating broadly to accelerate access to convenient charging at home and on the go, offering additional confidence to prospective single-vehicle customers considering an EV,” said Wade Sheffer, VP of GM Energy. “This new network will provide EV drivers with a quality charging experience and greater peace of mind during road trips.”
By the end of 2023, at least 25 Pilot and Flying J travel centers are expected to feature EV fast charging, with approximately 200 locations targeted by the end of 2024. The network will include up to 2,000 high-power, fast-charging stalls at up to 500 Pilot and Flying J travel centers across the U.S. Expansion sites for this network have been strategically selected for continued electrification of highly traveled corridors across the nation.
