SAN CARLOS, Calif. – Enel X Way North America, the global e-mobility business of Enel Group, has signed a five-year contract with Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company (LG&E and KU), the largest utilities in Kentucky. This partnership aims to add fast electric vehicle (EV) charging to as many as eight locations across their service territories to increase accessibility, reduce range anxiety, and support the growing number of EV motorists in and traveling through Kentucky.
The five-year agreement, awarded through the utilities’ competitive bidding process, will provide LG&E and KU with DC fast electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, software, and operations and maintenance services. The first phase of the project will include four locations to be determined by LG&E and KU in 2023 and will provide EV drivers with access to eight Enel X Way 350-kilowatt (kW) DC fast charging stations, capable of simultaneous charging.
“As part of our business, we’re constantly working to understand our customers’ energy needs, how those are evolving and to develop programs and services to assist them,” said Eileen Saunders, Vice President of Customer Services for LG&E and KU. “We know our customers, like motorists across the nation, are increasingly interested in driving electric and many of them will do so within this decade. We’ve made it a priority to do what we can to expand the EV charging network and to empower them with the information they need to confidently make the switch.”
The agreement expands upon a long-standing partnership between Enel North America and LG&E and KU. They have worked together for a number of years to provide business customers with customized energy-reduction plans through the Commercial Demand Conservation Program, which benefits around 30 businesses throughout Kentucky, comprising over 23 megawatts (MWs).
Kentucky was one of the first states to get its National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding contract approved and is set to make a total of $86.9 million available for EV charging infrastructure over the next five years (with matching funds). According to the Lane Report, Kentucky has already attracted more than $9 billion in investments from EV battery makers, and automotive suppliers have received federal approval to develop a nearly $70 million EV charging network.
“As the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act aims to develop a national network of 500,000 EV chargers, Enel X Way is supporting efforts to build out and optimize EV charging infrastructure in states across the country alongside our trusted partners,” says Chris Baker, Head of Enel X Way North America. “With federal NEVI funding and LG&E and KU’s investment in EV infrastructure, Kentucky will be accelerating EV adoption and bringing range confidence to new EV drivers.”
