Mat-Su to host new electric vehicle fast-charging stations in Wasilla and Trapper Creek

Mat-Su will host two of nine Parks Highway “Direct Current Fast Charging” electric vehicle charging stations being developed in the state. The chargers are faster and with high capacity, and are funded under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program being administered by the Alaska Energy Authority and the state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.

The Parks Highway corridor was chosen for the first Alaska locations under the program because of the high traffic volume. Funding is through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is providing money through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, or NEVI program, to states to deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure along major public highways. From fiscal years 2022-2027, Alaska will receive over $52 million.

The first round of money recently announced involves an $8 million total investment with $6.4 million in federal grants matched by $1.6 million from private entities selected to install, own and operate the new charging stations. The charging stations will have a 150 kilovolt capacity or three times faster than most electric vehicle charging stations in the state, which are typically 50 kilovolt.

New chargers will be installed at Cottonwood Creek Marketplace in Wasilla and be operated by Browman Development Co., the mall owner, and at Trapper Creek at the Three Bears grocery, where it will be developed by Tesla., Inc., the electric car company. Further north, a charging station will be at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge at the entrance to Denali State Park, with eCAMION USA, Inc. as the developer; in Cantwell at Jack River Properties; where Tesla will be the developer; in the Denali “glitter gulch” area at the Princess Wilderness lodge, also to be developed by eCAMION USA, Inc. and, to the north, at the Nenana Chevron station in Nenana, also be operated by Tesla.

Tesla will also develop the charging site at Ester Gas, in Ester just outside of Fairbanks. In Fairbanks, eCAMION USA will develop a charger location at the Westmark Fairbanks Hotel. In Anchorage, a charging station will be at Tikahtnu Commons, the shopper center on the Glenn Highway.

Phase One part of this program is to build out an Alaska “Alternative Fuel Corridor,” or AHC along the Parks Highway. Once Alaska’s AFC is fully built out along the Parks Highway and meets Federal Highway Administration’s criteria, which could take up to two years, AEA and DOT&PF will use the federal NEVI Formula Program funds to install charging infrastructure along Alaska’s other highways and coastal communities on the Marine Highway System. The second phase of the program will focus on connecting small urban areas, rural communities on the road system, and the state’s road system to Canada.

“We are thrilled to be among the first six states in the nation to issue these NEVI awards,” said AEA Executive Director Curtis W. Thayer. “AEA is committed to supporting EV adoption with better access to EV charging infrastructure. This investment enables us to provide convenient, reliable, and affordable access to EV charging infrastructure in ways that couldn’t be achieved previously.”

DOT&PF Commissioner Ryan Anderson said: “DOT&PF and AEA are pleased to support our communities' relentless pursuit of affordable and sustainable energy in Alaska.”