Recently, through a partnership with the National Park Foundation, the National Park Service, and the Department of Energy, the BMW Group announced the successful completion of its project to donate 100 electric vehicle charging stations in and near to national parks throughout the United States. So far, more than 90 of the charging stations have been installed, with the remainder on track to open this month.
“We can’t think of a better way to enjoy the summer than visiting one of America’s beautiful national parks. In making electric vehicle charging more widely available for everyone, this joint effort serves to make America’s national parks more accessible to drivers of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles,” said Bernhard Kuhnt, president and CEO, BMW of North America.
The use of public-private partnerships was essential in completing this important project. “Thanks to public-private partnership, electric vehicle drivers can enjoy a quintessential national park road trip,” said Will Shafroth, president of the National Park Foundation. “Not only will drivers benefit, but also the businesses and communities at the doorstep of our treasured national parks.”
When identifying site locations, the team considered the following factors: the proximity and strength of EV markets, distance from nearby charging locations, and natural and cultural landscapes. The Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office has provided technical assistance that supports innovative energy saving transportation projects at national park sites. These projects educate visitors on the benefits of advanced and alternative fuel vehicles and can help the National Park Service meet their energy, economic, and environmental goals. These projects are beneficial because they have the opportunity to reach far beyond the boundaries of the national parks.
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