GM and Pilot Company announced on July 14 a collaboration on a national DC fast charging network that will be installed, operated, and maintained by EVgo through its eXtend offering.

A network of 2,000 charging stalls, co-branded "Pilot Flying J" and "Ultium Charge 360", will be powered by EVgo eXtend and open to all EV brands at up to 500 Pilot and Flying J travel centers. GM customers will receive special benefits like exclusive reservations, discounts on charging, a streamlined charging process through Plug and Charge and integration into GM's vehicle brand apps providing real-time charger availability and help with route planning.

According to the announcement, the goal is to accelerate the widespread adoption of EVs, increase access to charging, and help enable long-distance electric travel of people and vehicles across the U.S. The project demonstrates how public and private entities can come together to build out the nation's charging infrastructure.

The Pilot and Flying J travel centers plan to feature numerous fast charging stalls provided by EVgo, including high power fast chargers capable of offering up to 350 kW. EVgo, which is also working with GM to add more than 3,250 fast chargers in American cities and suburbs by the end of 2025, was chosen as a strategic collaborator due to its expertise in building, operating, and maintaining DC fast charging infrastructure. Many of these sites will feature canopies to help protect customers from the elements while charging, as well as pull-through capability allowing convenient charging for electric pickup trucks and SUVs pulling trailers.

"GM and Pilot Company designed this program to combine private investments alongside intended government grant and utility programs to help reduce range anxiety and significantly close the gap in long-distance EV charger demand," said Shameek Konar, Pilot Company CEO. "Our travel centers are well-equipped to accommodate EV charging with 24/7 amenities and convenient proximity to major roadways across the country. We look forward to collaborating with GM and the U.S. Department of Transportation to make convenient coast-to-coast EV travel a reality through our national network of travel centers."

Third-party research shows that widespread access to highway charging, particularly in underserved urban and rural areas, is a significant barrier to mass EV adoption. "EVgo, GM, and Pilot Company share a commitment to building an electric fueling network that increases access and makes the shift to electrification as frictionless as possible for all. We look forward to this collaboration and ensuring the EVgo network provides nationwide coverage, including critical corridors for road trips," said Cathy Zoi, CEO at EVgo. "Through EVgo eXtend, we are demonstrating yet another innovative pathway to help America electrify..."  

The collaboration is targeting the installation of charging stalls at 50-mile intervals across the U.S. For GM, the development is one more step of its nearly $750 million investment in EV charging infrastructure, including:

• Enabling access to more than 100,000 charge points in the U.S. and Canada through its Ultium Charge 360 ecosystem.

• Collaborating with EVgo to build out a network of 3,250 charging stalls in major metro areas by 2025.

• Installing up to 40,000 chargers in local dealer communities through GM's Dealer Community Charging Program, focusing on underserved rural and urban areas.

Beyond this program, GM and Pilot Company said they will continue working with key stakeholders to use new and existing public-private programs to accelerate the development of more public EV charging infrastructure.