Electric cars just got a huge boost from the federal government
The Obama administration said 28 states, utilities, vehicle manufactures, and electric vehicle charging firms have agreed to work together to jump start the additional electric vehicle charging stations. General Motors, BMW, and Nissan are among the vehicle manufacturers helping lead the initiative.
Charging corridors are typically spaced approximately 50 miles apart along highways in locations with access to restaurants, rest stops, or shopping centers.
The initiative comes at a time where competition in the electric car space is mounting. Tesla will release its Model 3 by the end of 2017, adding to its existing electric car line of the Model S and Model X. The Chevy Bolt will also hit dealerships before the end of this year.
BMW is planning to release an electric car in 2021, and Audi and Hyundai are both planning on rolling out an all-electric SUV by 2018. Volkswagen is planning to roll out five electric vehicles by 2020, and Volvo aims to offer at least two all-electric vehicles by 2019.
Mercedes-Benz showed off its electric SUV concept, the EQ, at the Paris Motor Show, with plans to release a production version of the car in 2019.
That doesn't even tap into other segments of the EV space, like electric buses and electric trucks.
There are currently 14,673 electric charging stations in the United States.