KCP&L’s Clean Charge Network will be the largest utility electric
vehicle charging station installation in the country
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- (Business Wire)
Today, at a kickoff event at its headquarters, Kansas City Power & Light
Company (KCP&L), a subsidiary of Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE:
GXP), announced its plans to install and operate more than 1,000
electric vehicle charging stations, making it the largest electric
vehicle charging station installation by an electric utility in the
United States. KCP&L’s Clean Charge Network is the next step in the
company’s leadership in environmental sustainability. Over the next
several months, KCP&L will install more than 1,000 charging stations
throughout the Greater Kansas City region. This network of stations will
be capable of supporting more than 10,000 electric vehicles. Through
partnerships with companies at host locations and with Nissan Motor
Company, the Clean Charge Network will offer free charging on every
station to all drivers for the first two years. The stations are
manufactured by ChargePoint and will be part of the ChargePoint network
of more than 20,000 charging spots in North America.
“The Kansas City region is quickly building a reputation as an
innovative, sustainable place to live and work,” said Terry Bassham,
President and CEO of Great Plains Energy and KCP&L. “We’re excited to
continue being a leader in support of this growth by providing our
customers and visitors to this region with an environmentally-friendly
alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles. Thanks to our Clean Charge
Network, everyone in our service territory will be able to charge up and
hit the road.”
Where can I charge my electric vehicle?
The charging stations will be installed strategically throughout KCP&L’s
service region, ensuring there will be a charging station near where
electric vehicle owners live and work.
“We are committed to the electric vehicle industry and want to give
residents and visitors the ability to join the electric vehicle
revolution. As a utility, we will place the stations where they’re
needed most and support them as part of our electric grid, leveraging
our expertise with electrical infrastructure,” said Bassham. “Our Clean
Charge Network eliminates ‘range anxiety’ in the region, which is the
number one roadblock to greater electric vehicle adoption. Now, electric
vehicle owners will have an answer to the question, ‘Where do I recharge
my vehicle?’”
Installation of the charging stations began in late 2014 and will be
completed this summer. The first stations deployed on the network will
include 15 fast charging stations provided by Nissan and KCP&L, which
will charge any model of electric vehicle on the market. On the fast
charging stations, an electric vehicle like the Nissan LEAF will charge
from empty to approximately 80 percent in about 30 minutes. In addition,
the Clean Charge Network will have more than 1,000 standard charging
stations, which will give most electric vehicles a 25 mile charge for
every hour it is plugged into the station.
“The number of stations allows electric vehicle owners to change their
habits, charging as they go about their day, and giving them the freedom
to drive that much further. It makes it easier for current electric
vehicle owners and hopefully will remove the perceived barriers for
potential electric vehicle owners,” said Bassham.
What’s in it for me?
“The most exciting part is that everyone benefits,” said Kansas City
Mayor Sly James. “Not only do the owners of electric vehicles in Kansas
City benefit, but with this project, KCP&L is also investing in the
economic development and environmental sustainability of this region,
which is a win for everyone. I applaud KCP&L for taking this
groundbreaking step forward right here in Kansas City.”
Kansas City is the largest auto manufacturing center in the United
States, outside of Detroit. That position makes the region well suited
for leadership in the transportation of the future. Range anxiety — the
fear of running out of power before reaching the next charging station —
is a top concern for potential electric car buyers. By alleviating that
anxiety and enabling more people to purchase electric vehicles, KCP&L’s
Clean Charge Network continues Kansas City region’s leadership as an
automotive center by creating new jobs and, ultimately, attracting new
businesses and talent.
This project extends KCP&L’s position as an industry leader in
environmental sustainability. Along with KCP&L’s environmental upgrades
at several local power plants, renewable energy portfolio and its energy
efficiency programs, the KCP&L Clean Charge Network will reduce carbon
emissions and help the Kansas City region attain EPA regional ozone
standards.
“All our environmental investments, including the new network, advance
our commitment to a more sustainable energy future,” said Bassham. “We
know our customers want more choice when it comes to their energy
solutions, and we are committed to providing them with affordable,
long-term energy solutions that offer them greater control of their
energy use.”
In addition to regional economic and environmental benefits, the Clean
Charge Network can help keep electricity costs low for all KCP&L
customers. As more drivers adopt electric vehicles, not only will
vehicle emissions be reduced but the cost of operating and maintaining
the electrical grid will be spread over increased electricity usage,
benefitting everyone. Those who drive electric vehicles will see the
bill for fueling their cars go down because electricity is less
expensive than gasoline, even at gasoline’s low current price. At the
same time, increased efficient use of electricity will offset cost
increases for operating the grid, which would otherwise become part of
customer bills.
“People generally charge their cars at non-peak periods when KCP&L’s
electrical grid is being underutilized. By stimulating electric vehicle
adoption with their Clean Charge Network, what KCP&L is doing is
encouraging people to use the electrical grid more efficiently and drive
down the cost of electricity for everyone,” said Natural Resources
Defense Council Senior Energy Economist Ashok Gupta. “KCP&L’s efforts to
encourage the use of electric vehicles, modernize the electrical grid,
increase the use of renewable energy sources and invest in customers
through robust energy efficiency programs are all critical parts of a
sustainable energy future. More electric vehicles on the road means that
people will be using more electricity during times when KCP&L already
has enough generation and distribution capacity to meet their demand.
That means savings on electricity bills for everyone and cleaner air for
everyone.”
Why KCP&L?
KCP&L is not new to electric vehicle infrastructure. In 2011, KCP&L
worked with the Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Coalition to bring ten
charging stations to the area. KCP&L also deployed additional stations
through the KCP&L SmartGrid Demonstration Project. All of these stations
offered the opportunity to test technologies and behaviors while
monitoring usage, laying the foundation for KCP&L’s Clean Charge Network.
“We’ve learned a lot over the last few years about how our customers use
electric vehicles,” said Bassham. “Combined with our knowledge of the
electric grid and award-winning reliability, we think we’re well-suited
to operate the electric vehicle network.”
KCP&L will install ChargePoint stations as part of this project.
ChargePoint operates the world’s largest electric vehicle charging
network, making Clean Charge stations part of a nationwide cohesive
network and not a series of one-off stations. As a result, electric
vehicle owners in this region will have the same experience, the same
customer service and a set of transparent and standard pricing options
at every station. And for the next two years, charging a car in KCP&L’s
Clean Charge Network will be free to electric vehicle owners. KCP&L is
partnering with Nissan and the host sites to cover the charging cost to
further encourage electric vehicle adoption in this market.
Economies of scale with KCP&L’s Clean Charge Network will help keep
costs low. As a utility, KCP&L’s costs are regulated by state
commissions. These factors combine to ensure a fair price for the
stations. The commissions will also help facilitate conversations to
ensure all stakeholders have a voice.
Partners
“Our partners helped make this groundbreaking program a reality,” said
Bassham. “Each is a leader in the electric vehicle industry worldwide.
We look forward to working together on making the Midwest a leader in
the electric vehicle industry.”
- Nissan, maker of the Nissan LEAF, the best-selling all-electric
car, is providing funding toward 16 fast charging stations, including
covering the costs of the electricity necessary to power the charging
stations for two years.
- ChargePoint, the world’s largest and most open electric vehicle
charging network, will manufacture the standard charging stations in
KCP&L’s Clean Charge Network. ChargePoint manufactures the stations
and this represents the single largest single installation on the
ChargePoint network. ChargePoint provides 24/7 driver support and
offers a free mobile app that drivers can use to find stations and
start charging.
KCP&L is also partnering with local companies to be host sites for the
Clean Charge Network. Host sites have been selected using a variety of
criteria, including ensuring KCP&L’s Clean Charge Network is accessible
at geographically diverse sites that are convenient for customers to
access. There are still a limited number of spots available for sites.
Interested business can apply online at www.kcpl.com/CleanCharge.
Customers who would like to nominate a location can do so on KCP&L’s
Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KCPLConnect.
How to access the Clean Charge Network
To utilize the stations, all drivers have to do is sign up for a
ChargePoint membership (https://na.chargepoint.com/register).
Drivers will then have access to the more than 20,000 charging locations
nationwide on the ChargePoint network, including these new stations
offered by KCP&L. Drivers can find charging stations and see their
availability in real-time at ChargePoint.com or with the free
ChargePoint mobile app. To use the stations, drivers simply wave their
ChargePoint card in front of the station, or use the ChargePoint mobile
app.
For more information on this project and to see a map of locations
already selected, please visit www.kcpl.com/CleanCharge.
About Great Plains Energy:
Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., Great Plains Energy Incorporated
(NYSE: GXP) is the holding company of Kansas City Power & Light Company
and KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company, two of the leading
regulated providers of electricity in the Midwest. Kansas City Power &
Light Company and KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company use KCP&L as
a brand name. More information about the companies is available on the
Internet at: www.greatplainsenergy.com
or www.kcpl.com.
About Nissan LEAF:
With more than 158,000 global sales since launch, Nissan LEAF is the
world's best-selling electric vehicle. LEAF seats up to five passengers
and boasts an estimated driving range on a fully-charged battery of 84
miles and MPGe ratings of 126 city, 101 highway and 114 combined. The
effective price of a Nissan LEAF starts at about $23,000 after the
available $7,500 federal tax credit, which is competitive with
gas-powered cars while providing the benefits of lower running costs and
less scheduled maintenance. For more information, visit www.nissanusa.com/LEAF.
About ChargePoint:
ChargePoint operates the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging
network, with more than 20,000 spots to plug in and charge. We are
transforming the transportation industry by providing the charging
stations, mobile apps, analytics and the charging network that allow
property owners and drivers to benefit from EV charging. We are also
transforming the energy industry by providing intelligent solutions to
help people and businesses shift away from fossil fuels and use
electricity more efficiently. Our mission is to get all drivers behind
the wheel of an EV and provide them a place to charge whether at home,
at work, around town or out-of-town. Real-time network information is
available through the ChargePoint app and in many top-selling EVs.
For more information, visit www.chargepoint.com.
Forward-Looking Statements:
Statements made in this release that are not based on historical facts
are forward-looking, may involve risks and uncertainties, and are
intended to be as of the date when made. Forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, the outcome of regulatory proceedings,
cost estimates of capital projects and other matters affecting future
operations. In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Great Plains Energy and KCP&L
are providing a number of important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from the provided forward-looking
information. These important factors include: future economic conditions
in regional, national and international markets and their effects on
sales, prices and costs; prices and availability of electricity in
regional and national wholesale markets; market perception of the energy
industry, Great Plains Energy and KCP&L changes in business strategy,
operations or development plans; the outcome of contract negotiations
for goods and services; effects of current or proposed state and federal
legislative and regulatory actions or developments, including, but not
limited to, deregulation, re-regulation and restructuring of the
electric utility industry; decisions of regulators regarding rates the
Companies can charge for electricity; adverse changes in applicable
laws, regulations, rules, principles or practices governing tax,
accounting and environmental matters including, but not limited to, air
and water quality; financial market conditions and performance
including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates and credit
spreads and in availability and cost of capital and the effects on
nuclear decommissioning trust and pension plan assets and costs;
impairments of long-lived assets or goodwill; credit ratings; inflation
rates; effectiveness of risk management policies and procedures and the
ability of counterparties to satisfy their contractual commitments;
impact of terrorist acts, including but not limited to cyber terrorism;
ability to carry out marketing and sales plans; weather conditions
including, but not limited to, weather-related damage and their effects
on sales, prices and costs; cost, availability, quality and
deliverability of fuel; the inherent uncertainties in estimating the
effects of weather, economic conditions and other factors on customer
consumption and financial results; ability to achieve generation goals
and the occurrence and duration of planned and unplanned generation
outages; delays in the anticipated in-service dates and cost increases
of generation, transmission, distribution or other projects; Great
Plains Energy’s ability to successfully manage transmission joint
venture; the inherent risks associated with the ownership and operation
of a nuclear facility including, but not limited to, environmental,
health, safety, regulatory and financial risks; workforce risks,
including, but not limited to, increased costs of retirement, health
care and other benefits; and other risks and uncertainties.
This list of factors is not all-inclusive because it is not possible to
predict all factors. Other risk factors are detailed from time to time
in Great Plains Energy’s and KCP&L’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and
annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of
the particular statement. Great Plains Energy and KCP&L undertake no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contacts:
Kansas City Power & Light Company
KCP&L 24-hour Media
Hotline, 816-392-9455
Source: Kansas City Power & Light Company
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