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Through the WestSmart EV project, Pacificorp aims to double the growth rate for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) in their electric service territory from 20% to 40%. Pacificorp and their partners plan to accomplish this by pairing PEV adoption programs with the development of a large-scale charging network in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. The project will install charging stations along interstate corridors and at workplaces, incentivize conversion of fleet vehicles to PEVs, coordinate outreach and Smart Mobility programs with community partners, and collect data from these activities to develop new tools for utility integration of charging infrastructure.

As of 2019, WestSmart EV has installed 43 DC fast chargers along interstate corridors, 836 level 2 chargers, and incentivized 99 PEVs. Additionally, the project has launched a PEV ride hailing program with Lyft in Salt Lake City, Utah and Park City, Utah and coordinated on data collection with several major charging station networks. When completed, the project will result in DC fast chargers being installed every 50-100 miles for over 1,500 miles of interstate highways and approximately 600 level 2 chargers being installed at workplaces.

The objective of the WestSmart EV@Scale project is to identify pathways to accelerate use of EVs. The pathways will be evaluated by researchers through the analysis of EV infrastructure gaps, EV workforce development training, EV infrastructure deployment and data gathering, freight and port load, and grid evaluations. WestSmart EV@Scale leverages lessons learned and best practices from the tremendous success of the WestSmartEV project in Utah. It facilitates successful expansion into a regional program covering portions of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, and Arizona—covering all major corridors in and out of California. It encompasses five critical EV application focus areas of: Destination Highways (National Park and Recreation), Underserved Regions (EV Training, Rural Transit Hub, Electric Car Share at Affordable Housing), Urban Mobility (Transportation Network Company, Intermodal Hub), Freight (Airport, Inland Port), and Community/Workplace (Mobility Hub, Workplace Charging).

For more information on this project, check the Technology Integration 2021 Annual Report or the 2022 Annual Merit Review presentation and the 2023 Annual Merit Review presentation.