Mid-Atlantic Electrification Partnership project partner Baltimore Electric and Gas has unveiled their latest installation. Four 150+ kilowatt capacity electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers are now available for public use at BWI’s cell phone lot – these utilize advanced technology able to provide a quick charge in a matter of minutes. Six more of these publicly accessible chargers will soon be online at BWI’s Rideshare Lot.
“Expanding access to electric vehicles and infrastructure is a major step toward ensuring a cleaner and brighter future for our community,” said BGE CEO, Carim Khouzami. “We are excited about this first step related to our EV Rideshare Program and our public EV infrastructure rollout, and to partner with Lyft to help drivers and riders benefit from cleaner transportation.”
These chargers are part of BGE’s EVsmart Program which also provides customers with rebates, tools, and information that they need to go electric. They are also partially funded by a U.S. Dept. of Energy grant awarded to BGE in 2020, in partnership with a Mid-Atlantic Electrification Partnership, to support an EV Rideshare Program consisting of up to 100 EVs, administered by a rideshare provider, and designed to provide access to more equitable, clean, point to point transportation options.
With the grant funding, BGE will operate more advanced fast charging infrastructure well-suited to rideshare drivers on platforms like Lyft and other drivers’ needs not only at BWI, but also in communities around Baltimore that will be convenient to drivers and riders in and around those neighborhoods. In addition, through the grant and working with Lyft, BGE plans to support the introduction of electric cars in the greater Baltimore region, which may be used for more clean, easy access to grocery stores, healthcare, jobs, and other travel needs.
“At Lyft, we’ve committed to reaching 100% electric vehicles on the network by 2030 and partnerships like this one with BGE will help propel us toward our goal,” said Jon Walker, Sustainability Policy Manager, Lyft. “EVs have the potential to make a transformational impact on society and the environment and we’re uniquely positioned to help ensure that their benefits are distributed equitably – especially as nearly half of Lyft rides start or end in historically underserved communities.”
The EV Rideshare Program will aim to increase EV access to drivers and expose more riders to the technology. Through electrification, drivers benefit from lower operating costs, passengers have the opportunity to take cleaner rides and it results in healthier air for communities.
BGE will install and operate a 500-charger network available to all EV drivers containing L2 chargers, 50 kilowatt DC Fast Chargers (DCFC) and 150 kilowatt DCFC once fully built. BGE is working with state, county, and municipal government agencies throughout its service area to determine optimal locations, on government-owned property, to site the chargers. Publicly available charging infrastructure is also critical to electrifying vehicles operating on transportation network companies’ platforms.