Arizona enters multi-state electric car infrastructure agreement
Oct 13, 2017, 4:12 AM | Updated: 8:31 am
(AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
(AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced he signed a multi-state agreement Thursday that will help promote the use of electric cars.
Ducey, who has previously pushed for electric vehicle initiatives, signed the agreement to join the Intermountain West Electric Vehicle Corridor, which will focus on building infrastructure to ensure there are enough charging stations for regional road trips.
Six Arizona highways will be included in the initial phase of the transportation routes: Interstates 17, 10, 8, 15, 19 and 40. Seven other states, such as New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado, are part of the pact.
“New technologies are changing every day, and it’s important we keep up,” Ducey said in a press release. “In, Arizona, we want to continue to welcome innovation with open arms. By working with other western states to establish the corridor, we can help ensure Arizona is at the forefront.”
Ducey is expected to meet with other leadership every three months and a report on progress is expected to be released by April 1.
It is unknown how much the project will cost.
Ducey has been an advocate for electric cars for some time. Late last year, Lucid Motors announced it would build a $700 million electric car plant in Casa Grande.
“When government takes a back seat to innovation, big things can happen,” Ducey said.
Brian Barron, Lucid’s director of global manufacturing, said the company originally identified 60 potential sites in 13 states for its plant.
“We chose Arizona because you showed genuine interest in our company from the outset, because you negotiated in fairness and with understanding and because you continue working together with us from a partnership perspective, and not just a business perspective,” he said.
