The electrification of the road trip has a new mascot in Texas, where TxDOT's Michael Chamberlain embodied the spirit of electric vehicles (EVs) by venturing on a remarkable 8,300-mile journey across the state. According to a recent story published by TxDOT, Chamberlain's personal plunge into the future of transportation included visiting over twenty metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and scoping out upcoming EV charging sites.
"I also visited many of our future EV charging sites along the way," Chamberlain said, in a trip that wasn't just about putting miles on his EV – but also a hands-on research mission to better grasp the expanding infrastructure statewide. He even got behind the wheel of some of the latest EV models and sparked discussions about charging solutions in two additional communities.
Underscoring the intent for his extensive road trip, Chamberlain's outreach aimed to bring local communities on board with TxDOT's Texas EV Infrastructure Plan. Originally developed in the spring of 2022, this blueprint for charging station networks is designed to imbue confidence, and flexibility in Texans contemplating the EV-driven commute or road trip, according to Chamberlain's engagements with MPOs.
During these informational stops, TxDOT's data management section director would showcase the ins and outs of EV charging technology through demonstrations and discussions on the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. "Most MPOs and communities are excited about the program and would like to start as soon as possible," Chamberlain shared. The strategy here is two-fold: to educate and lay the foundations for Phase 2 of Texas's plan away from the interstates where Phase 1 is already in motion.
The Lone Star State, which hosts an impressive count of 3,860 charging locations, tells a story divergent from the national trend – where EV sales have hit a rough patch recently due to the scarcity of charging options. Conversely, Texas's appetite for EVs continues unabated, with an indicative surge from 218,889 plug-in and fully electric vehicles registered in August 2023, to a present count of 293,436. "Texas is adding about 2,000 new EVs each week," Chamberlain pointed out, supporting the narrative of a burgeoning electric revolution.
According to the TXDot report the ultimate goal, as Chamberlain envisions, is to create a NEVI network in Texas robust enough that "everyone will be able to do the same thing I did regardless of the EV they own," offering an inclusive electric experience bolstered by fast charging stations every 50 miles along interstate highways. Emphasizing his own experience, Chamberlain asserted, "I absolutely recommend seeing Texas in an EV, it's a completely different experience."
