[ZipEV]

Is there any citizens group in New Mexico advocating for installation of DCFC chargers on the I-25 stretch between Albuquerque and Las Cruces in New Mexico? If so, how might we contact that group? A DCFC charging station at the Fort Craig rest area would make it possible to cover this heavily traveled route on a regular basis in a Bolt.

 

[XJ12]

Your post reminded me about Francis Energy putting in stations in New Mexico. So I went to their website, and found they put one in Carrizozo, NM. In 2020 I drove my 2017 Bolt 250 miles from Las Cruces to Santa Rosa, NM. Worked out great, but I really would be hurting if I tried to drive back in that direction. This station will make it possible to return now. And with current battery limitations, I could now make the drive without having to charge to 100%.

With a new battery, I was thinking I might have enough range to get to Albuquerque. But trying to get back home without charging to 100% is an issue if I don't stay the night.

I think it was @ARob that submitted a station request to EA for I-25.

 

[ARob]

@XJ12 Yes, I did suggest that to EA and they seem to have it on their next round plan. I also see a new DCFC site in TorC listed as "Coming Soon". It appears NM has a program to build out charging and this is one of the planned locations. Not sure who will run it, appears to be Sierra Electric Co-Op. There is a J1772 plug there now.

I am not familiar with what organizations in NM may be engaged with the state. In CO, the state energy office which is funded by DOE has an advocacy group called Drive Electric CO who provides input on grants and needs.

 

[XJ12]

Found this pdf on the NMED website from a link on plugshare on the Carrizozo location. Looks like Francis Energy is planned for T or C.

 

[ZipEV]

This is all very interesting, thank you. I remember XJ12's story about the Santa Rosa trip, and have made short trips, turning around after using L2 chargers, but haven't tried to make it all the way to Albuquerque from Las Cruces. There is a DCFC charger at the Walmart location in Deming, so I'm hoping the the Walmart in Truth or Consequences (TorC) might put in a similar station. The TorC Walmart paking lot is covered with numerous solar panels--a prime location for a DCFC setup. (And, as it happens, the Walmart is right across the street from a large Tesla charging station.) I have asked the TorC Walmart manager if he's heard anything about a possible EV charger installation, but he's heard nothing so far.

I did have an exchange with my NM senator (Hamblen) in May 2021, asking about what happened to the credits for New Mexico EV buyers proposed by Senators Tallman and Soules. Both proposed bills died in committee. The new legislative session starts this week--maybe I'll ask about this again. I'll also look into whether there is a New Mexico organization similar to the Colorado group mentioned by ARob. If I hear any good news, I'll report back.

 

[ARob]

I'll also look into whether there is a New Mexico organization similar to the Colorado group mentioned by ARob. If I hear any good news, I'll report back.

There is a national organization: DRIVE Electric USA, Department of Energy Partnership and NM does not appear to be in the program. Here is a guide to forming a group in your state: Electric Vehicle Adoption Resources Page 1 of 0 | DRIVE Electric USA

Here is the NM Energy Office site: ECMD Home - Energy Conservation and Management or Home - EMNRD

Also, there is a Clean Cities organization in NM: Clean Cities Coalition Network: Land of Enchantment Clean Cities (New Mexico) and maybe there is one in ABQ too?

My understanding is the Federal DOE funds both Drive Electric (some of which trickles to the state organizations), and each state's Energy Office. I expect as federal infrastructure funds start to roll out, they will go to state Energy Offices to be dispersed in grants and that Drive Electric Organizations will support grant applicants, that is how it works here anyway.

In CO (and NM apparently), there is yet another layer, a Clean Cities coalition that is also funded in a similar fashion and the Drive Electric folks are actually paid by, and a part of the Clean Cities coalition organization. They in turn make connections with local EV car clubs like Denver Electric Vehicle Coalition, Colorado Springs EV Club, etc. I got involved via the CS EV Club, and we cross promote and participate in Drive Electric and other EV related events. I have done some training, coaching, and exhibiting at a number of events wearing both hats.

I would start with your Clean Cities organization to see if they have any interest in establishing a Drive Electric organization to represent EV owners and advocates interests. Also reach out to any local EV clubs in your state, they may already be working to establish an advocacy group to work with EMNRD and LoECC? If they are already starting down the path, they may be eager for more volunteers.

If CO is a typical approach, Clean Cities is where you get linked into advocating for public charging infrastructure. I am sure they would be thrilled to have feet on the street to support them and a Drive Electric group seems a good way to organize that.

It may be they are simply waiting for someone to step in and create something like this. But it seems like it could be rewarding to someone who is motivated to take a strong advocacy position. Interestingly, in CO many of the Clean Cities\Drive Electric folks ARE NOT EV owners. A few at the top of the chain are, but many are simply tasked by Clean Cities to do the Drive Electric work.

Good luck if you intend to jump in and try to organize something like this!

 

[ZipEV]

I've had no time to follow-up on ARob's suggestions, but came across an article in the Santa Fe New Mexican 3/5/22 reporting that New Mexico is slated to get $38 million in federal money for developing EV charging sites. If plans are submitted by August 1, 2022 (and approved), funding could begin in the fall...
“A state map shows a network of freeways and highways, nearly all in the eastern half of the state, that will become the future alternative fueling corridors. The main corridor that’s now dedicated for this aim is Interstate 25 between Santa Fe and Albuquerque.” It’s a start!
https://www.santafenewmexican.com/n...cle_4f405af0-98b2-11ec-b34a-9770f7a72b42.html

 

[ZipEV]

I contacted Jerry Valdez at the NM Department of Transportation (DOT) who was quoted in the Santa Fe New Mexican article mentioned above. I asked specifics about future charging stations between Las Cruces and Albuquerque. Valdez says that the I-25 corridor between Las Cruces and Albuquerque is very high on the implementation list. The DOT has five years to spend the current funding ($38 million), and will apply for grants after that time for secondary discretionary funding to expand infrastructure throughout the state. Valdez hopes that within a year or two we will see charging stations every 100 miles (at least) between Las Cruces and Albuquerque. The implementation plan has to be submitted by August 1, 2022. The department will be seeking public input during the planning process through a portal on the DOT web site which should be up and running within the next 30 days. Stay tuned!

 

[jtespi]

Hey everyone, I didn't see this thread before I made an almost duplicate one (about the state of NM as a whole) since it wasn't in the regional section.

Anyways, big news update, the State of NM has installed ChargePoint CPE 250s at the Socorro town square. The I-25 corridor will now be covered when it opens in a few weeks! 😁 The governor did a small ceremony there on Thursday which was covered by only one TV station, KOAT. The funds for this come from $10 million appropriated to NMDOT during the December 2021 special legislative session. That means the state can use its discretion to install chargers without NEVI program requirements.

I expect the price to be very reasonable, $0.30/kWh like the other CPE 250s at state offices in Santa Fe. Way better than Francis' gouger rates of $1 + $0.39/min, which equates to $0.39/kWh at 60 kW. Francis has also been stalling with building out stations in NM - it's been over 6 months and not another station has opened.

Also the state website for the NEVI program is National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure | NMDOT. I've watched all their public meetings and the plan is making good progress.

 

[ARob]

Hey everyone, I didn't see this thread before I made an almost duplicate one (about the state of NM as a whole) since it wasn't in the regional section.

Anyways, big news update, the State of NM has installed ChargePoint CPE 250s at the Socorro town square. The I-25 corridor will now be covered when it opens in a few weeks! 😁 The governor did a small ceremony there on Thursday which was covered by only one TV station, KOAT. The funds for this come from $10 million appropriated to NMDOT during the December 2021 special legislative session. That means the state can use its discretion to install chargers without NEVI program requirements.

I expect the price to be very reasonable, $0.30/kWh like the other CPE 250s at state offices in Santa Fe. Way better than Francis' gouger rates of $1 + $0.39/min, which equates to $0.39/kWh at 60 kW. Francis has also been stalling with building out stations in NM - it's been over 6 months and not another station has opened.

Also the state website for the NEVI program is National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure | NMDOT. I've watched all their public meetings and the plan is making good progress.

We recently did I-25 from CO to ABQ, then I-40 to AZ. The EA sites in Grants and Gallup were top notch, and I believe both have Tesla Powerpacks to cut utility costs. I wish Clayton would get DCFC, the stretch from Trinidad to Amarillo is brutal, but would be a much better route than alternatives to get down to Dallas.

We looked at ABQ to Deming as an alternate route to get to San Diego in February, but it just wasn't feasible without DCFC in TorC or Socorro. Glad to see this coming.

 

[ZipEV]

Thanks, jtespi, for the post with an update on the Carrizozo charger that XJ12 mentioned earlier this year. And thanks, ARob, for news about the EA sites in Grants and Gallup. A charger in Socorro is welcome news, but what we really need is a DCFC between Las Cruces and Albuquerque!

New Mexico's DOT is still accepting feedback about infrastructure plans, so now's the time to compete the survey! The plan will be finalized August 2022.
NMDOT

 

[ZipEV]

Link I just posted was incorrect. See the page referenced by jtespi to start the survey: National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure | NMDOT

 

[jtespi]

A charger in Socorro is welcome news, but what we really need is a DCFC between Las Cruces and Albuquerque!

Sorry if I wasn't clear, but the charger in Socorro is a DCFC. ChargePoint Express 250 (CPE 250) is the most common model of DCFC installed by ChargePoint.
Luckily, since it's installed by the state, I'm expecting the pricing to be 30 cents/kWh like the many other DCFCs the state has in offices around Santa Fe.

 

[ZipEV]

That is great news. Thanks!

 

[bolt-ish]

A charger in Socorro is welcome news, but what we really need is a DCFC between Las Cruces and Albuquerque!

?

 

[jtespi]

?

I think ZipEV got confused at first and didn't think the CPE-250 charger in Socorro was a DCFC. Usually when most people think of ChargePoint installations, they think of their CT4000 AC charging stations.

 

[jtespi]

Wow, we might have all been fooled by that KOAT news report on the DCFC in Socorro.

According to this local newspaper article, the DCFC was merely a "model electric vehicle charging station." Looking at the image below from the article, the concrete pedestal the CPE-250 is on doesn't appear to be a permanent install. Additionally, throughout the article, they talk about the charging station in the future tense - as in it will be installed soon.
This is so disappointing, I thought the station was already powered and installed. Maybe that's why on the KOAT video, the reporter only pretended to plug in the state's Bolt EV.

The only slightly good news is that the article mentions, "14 quick charging stations will be coming to [the Best Western]. Eight Tesla stations and six generic stations are being installed there over the next four months."

 

[XJ12]

the concrete pedestal the CPE-250 is on doesn't appear to be a permanent install.

Nice, can just roll it around to where the car is parked.🙂