“Transforming I-5 with cleaner
and smarter transportation"
The Oil-Free Way©
Washington is implementing the nation’s first “Electric Highway,” a basic network of public access electric vehicle (EV) recharging locations along Interstate 5. Once implemented, Washington will have the first border to border highway to offer fast charge technology.
The electric highway will support mass-produced plug-in electric vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus, and Chevrolet Volt now rolling off the assembly lines.
Washington’s “Electric Highway” connects Puget Sound electric vehicle drivers with other communities along I-5. The EV Project, a Department of Energy recovery grant demonstration, is bringing 900 Nissan Leaf vehicles and more than 1,000 EV charging stations to the Seattle area.
Through the Electric Highway Project, WSDOT will partner with private companies to install fast charging stations in critical charging zones in unserved locations along major interstates. Electric vehicle charging every 40 - 60 miles will provide a safety net for EV drivers traveling long distances.
The first charging sites will be placed along I-5 north of Everett and south of Lacey. Additional charging stations will be added along US 2reaching central Washington.
Ultimately these stations will enable electric vehicle drivers to travel the length of the state along the 276 miles of I-5 between Washington’s borders with Oregon and Canada.
The next generation of zero-emission, plug-in electric vehicles are coming to Washington with the unveiling of the Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt and the Ford Focus. Major car companies have announced plans to sell electric vehicles in the next few years.
Public/private partnerships will expand private investment to develop a strategic network of grid-enabled, flexible EV charging stations. Located at strategic points along, the stations will provide a backbone for EV charging that connects the EV-ready cities of Vancouver, British Columbia; Seattle; and Portland.
Leading the way to a cleaner, healthier tomorrow.
Washington's network of electric vehicle charging stations supports the development of a regional EV network spreading across the entire 1,350 miles of I-5 connecting three states and three countries and serving the 2 million electric vehicles anticipated by 2020 on the west coast.
The project was developed as part of the West Coast Green Highway, an initiative to promote the use of cleaner fuels along I-5 from British Columbia to Baja California.
The Electric Highways Project will encourage more people and businesses in Washington to buy and use plug-in electric vehicles. Increasing the market demand for electric vehicles will help reduce the transportation sector's impact upon the environment and dependency on foreign oil.
By setting the stage for the EV industry to thrive in a clean economy, the project also could mean new jobs and other opportunities for Washington residents.
Through a competitive contract award process, AeroVironment was selected to manufacture, supply, install and operate a network of nine fast-charging stations (pdf 130kb)for electric vehicles. Stations will be located every 40 to 60 miles along stretches of I-5 between the Canadian border and Everett and between Olympia and the Oregon border, as well as along US 2 between Everett and Leavenworth. The fast-charging stations will be operational by spring 2012, and will power an electric vehicle from zero to fully charged in less than 30 minutes. Each station also will include a Level 2 "medium-speed" charger (pdf 137kb), which will cost less for users and take up to four to six hours for a full charge. The stations will be located at private retail locations such as shopping malls, fueling stations and travel centers with easy access to the highway. The exact locations of these fast-charge stations will depend upon the private partner's retail location. In addition to the private retail locations, Level 2 charging equipment will be installed at Washington's Gateway safety rest areas for public education and outreach:
Seed funding of $1.32 million is provided by the U. S. Department of Energy with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars administered by the Department of Commerce through the State Energy Program. This project meets State Energy Program and Recovery Act funding goals to save energy, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, invest in transportation and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits.
Read Electric Highways Project Frequently Asked Questions
Send an email to: info@westcoastgreenhighway.com
Click map for larger view
This project advances the state's goal to make it possible to drive electric vehicles border-to-border, from British Columbia to Baja California.
The Washington State Legislature passed electric vehicle legislation (pdf 80kb) to establish a convenient, cost-effective, electric vehicle infrastructure. Governor Gregoire issued an executive order (pdf 92kb) that directs the state to develop and seek federal funds to implement a project for the electrification of the West Coast Green Highway.
Washington’s “Electric Highway” complements The EV Project, a demonstration bringing 900 Nissan Leaf vehicles and more than 2,000 EV charging stations to the Seattle area.
