# Driving into the Future: Washington’s Electric Charging Stations - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/08/driving-into-the-future-washingtons-electric-charging-stations/ - Published: 2011-08-03T13:43:14-04:00 - Author: greenlivingguy Let’s hear it for new Washington electric charging stations.  For within six months, drivers will be recharging their electric vehicles. That’s like the Nissan LEAF and also the Chevrolet Volt. All most notably along Washington’s Electric Highways. It seems the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) selected Monrovia, Calif.-based [AeroVironment](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/04/nevadas-rivers-and-streams-show-progress-in-newest-list-of-impaired-waters/)( NASDAQ: AVAV) to transform Interstate 5 and US 2. That’s into the premier interstates of the 21st century. Thereby serving the latest generation of [electric cars](https://web.archive.org/web/20160328104800/http://www.avinc.com/resources/press_release/washington_selects_aerovironment_to_light_up_nations_first_electric_highway) with charging stations. ![Washington getting electric charging stations.](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy. com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/img_1139.jpg?resize=420%2C280&quality=52&ssl=1 "Nissan leaf") A 220-volt charging plug recharges the [Nissan Leaf electric](https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/03/state-parks-budget-cuts-spark-outrage-in-albany/) car outside Nissan Motor Co.’s headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, U.S. on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010. Nissan Motor Co. aims to deliver 20,000 battery-powered Leaf vehicles to U.S. drivers in the first year. It car travels as far as 100 miles on a full charge of its lithium-ion batteries. Photographer: Mark Elias/Bloomberg ## AeroVironment AeroVironment rose to the top during a competitive contract award process in which six companies submitted proposals to electrify I-5 and US 2 on a budget of $1 million. In addition, AeroVironment will manufacture, supply, install and also operate a network of nine fast-charging stations for electric vehicles. Stations will be located every 40 to 60 miles along stretches of I-5. That’s most importantly between the Canadian border and Everett and between Olympia and the Oregon border. That’s as well as along US 2 between Everett and Leavenworth. ### Network of Charging Stations Paula Hammond, Washington secretary of transportation, declares, “A network of charging stations linking Washington to Oregon and Canada will make electric vehicles more attractive to consumers and businesses, and transportation better for the environment.” She further emphasizes that AeroVironment provides the essential technology for efficient and sustainable transportation. This initiative not only promotes a green economy but also creates new jobs in a growing field. ### Fast-Charging Stations The fast-charging stations will be operational by Nov. 30, 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” charging station, 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 In the area between Everett and Olympia, additional charging stations will be installed through a federal program, The EV Project, administrated by the U.S. Department of Energy. Combined, the two projects will connect Washington drivers along the entire 276 miles of I-5 between Canada and Oregon. ### Leading Hydropower “As the leading hydroelectric power producer in the United States, Washington state is ideally suited to support emissions-free electric vehicles,” said Mike Bissonette, AeroVironment’s senior vice president and general manager of Efficient Energy Systems.“ Electrifying I-5 is not just a vision about a cleaner future, it’s about American jobs and building the economy today. We’re working with Washington to turn that vision into reality.” While AeroVironment helps power the electric-vehicle charging network in Washington, the company will also simultaneously electrify I-5 in Oregon. This is through a similar project managed by the Oregon Department of Transportation. Both states’ projects will also complement The EV Project. Most notably which will install thousands of home and public electric-vehicle charging stations in six states. For that’s including Washington, Oregon and also California. ### Washington’s EV Highway Washington’s electric-highway infrastructure is a key component of a future West Coast [Green Highway](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/06/the-oregon-green-highway-project-revolutionizing-transportation/). When complete, it will extend a seamless network of recharging stations along all 1,350 miles of I-5 from Canada to Mexico, serving more than 2 million electric vehicles that market analysts say will be sold in Washington, Oregon and California in the next decade. **_Source: AeroVironment, Inc._** ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)