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Knoxville,
TN – July 2022 / Newsmaker Alert: To accelerate the widespread adoption
of EVs, increase access to charging and help enable long-distance electric
travel of people and vehicles across the U.S., GM
and Pilot Company (Pilot
and Flying J) are collaborating on a national DC fast charging network
that will be installed, operated and maintained by EVgo
through its eXtend
offering. This project demonstrates how public and private entities can
come together to build out the nation’s charging infrastructure, particularly
along American highways, connecting urban and rural communities, the East
and West Coasts and different metropolitan areas.
This
network of 2,000 charging stalls, co-branded “Pilot Flying J” and “Ultium
Charge 360”, will be powered by EVgo
eXtend and open to all EV brands at up to 500 Pilot and Flying J travel
centers. GM customers will receive special benefits like exclusive reservations,
discounts on charging, a streamlined charging process through Plug and
Charge and integration into GM’s vehicle brand apps providing real-time
charger availability and help with route planning. This collaboration is
expected to enhance America’s EV driving experience.
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The
Pilot and Flying J travel centers plan to feature numerous fast charging
stalls provided by EVgo, including high power fast chargers capable of
offering up to 350 kW1. EVgo, which is also working with GM to add more
than 3,250 fast chargers in American cities and suburbs by the end of 2025,
was chosen as a strategic collaborator due to its expertise in building,
operating and maintaining DC fast charging infrastructure. Many of these
sites will feature canopies to help protect customers from the elements
while charging, as well as pull-through capability allowing convenient
charging for electric pickup trucks and SUVs pulling trailers.
“We
are committed to an all-electric, zero-emissions future, and ensuring that
the right charging infrastructure is in place is a key piece of the puzzle,”
said Mary Barra, GM Chair and Chief Executive Officer. “With travel centers
across North America, Pilot Company is an ideal collaborator to reach a
broad audience of EV drivers.”
“GM
and Pilot Company designed this program to combine private investments
alongside intended government grant and utility programs to help reduce
range anxiety and significantly close the gap in long-distance EV charger
demand,” said Shameek Konar, Pilot Company Chief Executive Officer. “Our
travel centers are well-equipped to accommodate EV charging with 24/7 amenities
and convenient proximity to major roadways across the country. We look
forward to collaborating with GM and the U.S. Department of Transportation
to make convenient coast-to-coast EV travel a reality through our national
network of travel centers.”
Third-party
research shows that widespread access to highway charging, particularly
in underserved urban and rural areas, is a significant barrier to mass
EV adoption2.
“EVgo,
GM and Pilot Company share a commitment to building an electric fueling
network that increases access and makes the shift to electrification as
frictionless as possible for all. We look forward to this collaboration
and ensuring the EVgo network provides nationwide coverage, including critical
corridors for road trips,” said Cathy Zoi, CEO at EVgo. “Through EVgo eXtend,
we are demonstrating yet another innovative pathway to help America electrify
— and showcasing why EVgo’s technology and industry leadership make us
the partner of choice to site hosts, automakers and drivers alike as we
work together to deliver a cleaner future of transportation.”
This
collaboration is targeting the installation of charging stalls at 50-mile
intervals across the U.S. For GM, this development is one more step of
its nearly $750 million investment in EV charging infrastructure, including:
-
Enabling
access to more than 100,000 charge points in the U.S. and Canada through
its Ultium Charge 360 ecosystem
-
Collaborating
with EVgo to build out a network of 3,250 charging stalls in major metro
areas by 2025
-
Installing
up to 40,000 chargers in local dealer communities through GM’s Dealer Community
Charging Program, focusing on underserved rural and urban areas
This project
builds on Pilot Company’s recently announced “New Horizons” initiative
to invest $1 billion to fully upgrade its travel centers with more premium
amenities and offerings that aren’t typically available at current EV charging
locations. Guests will have access to free Wi-Fi at most locations, expanded
seating and lounge areas, updated and modernized restrooms, on-site restaurants
including Pilot’s signature fresh hot and cold deli, premium coffee, and
shopping for travel essentials and souvenirs while their vehicles are charging.
Pilot and Flying J travel centers are open 24/7, ensuring that team members
are always onsite to provide consistently high service to guests.
Beyond
this program, GM and Pilot Company will continue working with key stakeholders
to use new and existing public-private programs to accelerate the development
of more public EV charging infrastructure.
^1.
Actual charge times will vary based on vehicle capabilities and settings.
^2.
2021 Escalent Study, “2021 EV Adoption Barriers.”
About
General Motors
General
Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric
future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy
is the Ultium battery platform, which will power everything from mass-market
to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its
joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac,
Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries,
including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services,
can be found at www.GM.com.
About
Pilot Company
Pilot
Travel Centers LLC (“Pilot Company”) keeps North America’s drivers
moving as one of the leading suppliers of fuel and the largest operator
of travel centers. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee,
Pilot Company has grown its network to more than 800 retail and fueling
locations and supplies more than 14 billion gallons of fuel per year to
the market. Pilot Company has fourth largest tanker fleet with more than
1,600 trucks that supply DEF, bio and renewable fuels, and provides hauling
and disposal services to the oil field sector. Pilot Company serves 1.3
million guests per day and provides over 70,000 fleet customers with solutions
for fuel, credit, factoring, services and rewards. Its Pilot and Flying
J travel center network includes over 750 locations in 44 states and five
Canadian provinces with more than 790 restaurants, 75,000 truck parking
spaces, 5,300 deluxe showers, 6,200 diesel lanes and offers truck maintenance
and tire service with Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J. The One9 Fuel
Network connects a variety of fueling locations to provide smaller fleets
and independent professional drivers with everyday value, convenience,
credit and perks. More information on locations and rewards are available
in the myRewards Plus™ app.
Pilot
Company is currently ranked No. 7 on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest
Private Companies. For additional information about Pilot Company, its
30,000 team members and commitment to giving back, visit www.PilotCompany.com.
About
EVgo
EVgo
(Nasdaq: EVGO) is the nation’s largest public fast charging network for
electric vehicles. As of the end of the first quarter 2022, with more than
850 charging locations, EVgo’s owned and operated charging network serves
over 60 metropolitan areas across more than 30 states and approximately
375,000 customer accounts. Founded in 2010, EVgo leads the way on transportation
electrification, partnering with automakers; fleet and rideshare operators;
retail hosts such as hotels, shopping centers, gas stations and parking
lot operators; and other stakeholders to deploy advanced charging technology
to expand network availability and make it easier for drivers across the
U.S. to enjoy the benefits of driving an EV. As a charging technology first
mover, EVgo works closely with business and government leaders to accelerate
the ubiquitous adoption of EVs by providing a reliable and convenient charging
experience close to where drivers live, work and play, whether for a daily
commute or a commercial fleet.
Cautionary
Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This
press release and related comments by General Motors management may include
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities
laws. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements
of historical fact. Forward-looking statements represent our current judgement
about possible future events and are often identified by words such as
“aim,” “anticipate,” “appears,” “approximately,” “believe,” “continue,”
“could,” “designed,” “effect,” “estimate,” “evaluate,” “expect,” “forecast,”
“goal,” “initiative,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “outlook,” “plan,”
“potential,” “priorities,” “project,” “pursue,” “seek,” “should,” “target,”
“when,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of any of those words or similar
expressions. In making these statements, General Motors rely upon assumptions
and analysis based on its experience and perception of historical trends,
current conditions, and expected future developments, as well as other
factors it considers appropriate under the circumstances. General Motors
believes these judgements are reasonable, but these statements are not
guarantees of any future events or financial results, and actual results
may differ materially due to a variety of important factors, many of which
are described in General Motors’ most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K
and its other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
General Motors caution readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are
made, and General Motors undertakes no obligation to update publicly or
otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events, or other factors that affect the subject
of these statements, except where General Motors is expressly required
to do so by law.
Media
Contact:
Anne
LeZotte
Director
of Corporate Communications
and
Public Relations
Pilot
Company
865-255-7479
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