Governor Sandoval and NV Energy Announce the Nevada Electric Highway

Against a backdrop of electric vehicle charging stations in Carson City, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval announced the launch of the Nevada Electric Highway to media and industry officials.

The highway is a joint initiative by NV Energy and the State of Nevada that represents the next phase in expanding the state’s charging infrastructure to support electric vehicle owners by connecting the urban centers in Clark and Washoe counties. Electric vehicles offer a lower-cost fueling option for drivers, avoid fuel-price uncertainty compared to fluctuating gasoline prices, and are more environmentally friendly.

Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval said the efforts to support electric vehicle use in the state benefit both the Nevada environment and the Nevada economy.

“This Electric Highway will allow electric vehicle drivers to power their cars by tapping into Nevada’s own renewable energy resources,” said Sandoval. “This will strengthen our state’s energy independence while reducing Nevada’s petroleum imports.”

NV Energy and the Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy are looking for partners in key communities to provide electric vehicle owners the ability to drive and charge their vehicles between Reno and Las Vegas. This effort will include “fast-charge” technology, which is important for long-distance travel. 

Sandoval encouraged businesses and government entities along U.S. Route 95 – in communities such as Fallon, Hawthorne, Tonopah and Indian Springs  – to consider hosting charging stations and support electric vehicle infrastructure development.

"Electric vehicles are the wave of the future," Sandoval said. "I want Nevada to develop the infrastructure now to meet this developing technology."

Currently, Nevada’s public charging stations are located in more densely-populated areas of the state.  NV Energy President and CEO Paul Caudill noted that the utility has been working for more than four years – through a shared-investment program with interested businesses – to expand the network of electric vehicle charging stations in the Las Vegas, Reno and Carson City areas.

“We are delighted to partner with the Governor’s Office of Energy and local businesses to connect Las Vegas and Reno for our current and future electric vehicle customers and tourists,” said Caudill.  “In 2013, we launched a shared-investment program that doubled the number of electric vehicle charging stations, and this latest private-public initiative will help even more of our customers be more inclined to purchase electric vehicles.” Caudill noted that electric vehicles benefit Nevada’s environment by lowering vehicle emissions and benefit customers by lowering their overall transportation costs.

The Governor’s Office of Energy and NV Energy will use an application process to determine the charging station locations.  Once selected, NV Energy and the State of Nevada will provide funding assistance to install one fast charger and two additional ports for “level 2” chargers in selected cities. Direct-current fast chargers can charge a vehicle in less than an hour; Level 2 chargers typically require several hours for a full charge.

The Governor’s Office of Energy also will develop a program to reduce electricity demand charges for those businesses and government entities that are chosen to host one the new charging stations.

Those interested in more details should visit nvenergy.com/EV to access a one-page Nevada Electric Highway Charging Station Application, which is due to NV Energy by Friday, July 10, 2015.

About the Governor's Office of Energy

The Governor’s Office of Energy oversees energy programs required through statute and those that help to meet the mission of the office, which is to ensure the wise development of Nevada’s energy resources in harmony with local community economic needs and Nevada natural resources. For more information about GOE, please visit energy.nv.gov.

About NV Energy

NV Energy, Inc. provides a wide range of energy services to 1.3 million customers throughout Nevada and nearly 40 million tourists annually.  NV Energy is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company, are doing business as NV Energy. The company is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. Information about NV Energy is available on the company’s website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages, which can be accessed via nvenergy.com.