Alliant joins coalition to expand EV charging

Midwest electric vehicle (EV) drivers can now travel farther with an expanding charging network.

In 2020, St. Louis-based Ameren announced a first-of-its-kind collaboration among Midwest energy companies that committed to building a network of EV charging stations. Today, Alliant Energy announced that it has signed the Memorandum of Cooperation to further extend the network.

“Alliant Energy strives to be a leader in electrification initiatives and embraces innovative opportunities, like this one,” said Terry Kouba, president of Alliant Energy’s Iowa energy company. “Collaborations such as these enhance our purpose-driven strategy to serve customers and build stronger communities. Between our electric vehicle goal to have 100% of our active light-duty fleet vehicles electric by 2030 and now with our participation in the Midwest EV Charging Corridor Coalition, it’s just one more way we are driving toward a more sustainable future that benefits everyone.”

Today’s announcement comes during the 11th annual National Drive Electric Week that draws attention to the role EVs and EV infrastructure have in creating a cleaner transportation future.

There are two million EVs on U.S. roads. This number is expected to increase to 18.7 million by 2030. To meet the demand, an estimated 9.6 million public EV charging stations will be needed, but only about 100,000 stations are in service today. With an expanded charging network, EV drivers will be able to travel from Wisconsin to Texas, and many routes in between, with plenty of locations to recharge along the way.

“A key to increasing adoption of electric vehicles is to give motorists confidence that convenient charging stations will be available for travel throughout the Midwest,” said Richard Mark, chairman and president of Ameren Illinois. “Adding Alliant Energy to our coalition demonstrates that energy companies are united in our efforts to help prepare our customers for the transition to a cleaner and greener future.”

Alliant Energy joins Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois, as well as eight other utilities, to help EV drivers travel the Midwest with confidence. Other participants include Consumers Energy, DTE Energy, Duke-Indiana, Evergy, Liberty Utilities, MidAmerican Energy, Midwest Energy, and Oklahoma Gas and Electric. Together, these utilities serve customers across 11 states.

Utility programs supporting the Memorandum of Cooperation are subject to regulatory approvals and aim to have the charging infrastructure in place by the end of 2022.

Ameren Corp. provides service to 2.4 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois utility subsidiaries. Alliant Energy provides energy service to 970,000 electric and 420,000 natural gas customers across Iowa and Wisconsin.