The El Paso Electric company is expected to spend up to $1.2 million advancing electric vehicle charging infrastructure for both residential and commercial customers throughout the southern swath of New Mexico.
The utility company has now received the go-ahead from the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission to proceed with a two-year plan for the installation of smart charging infrastructure in what comprises El Paso Electric’s service territory.
The plan will place an emphasis on incentivizing the building of such infrastructure through both a pilot rate as well as a rebate program.
In a press release, Kelly Tomblin, chief executive officer of El Paso Electric, said the company is “excited to provide incentives, benefits, and education to all of our customers that will help support the electrification of transportation and the evolving technology that comes with it.”
According to company documents, what is called the Transportation Electrification Plan will offer “instant customer rebates on the purchase of residential smart charging stations.”
The plan anticipates an increase in the company’s New Mexico service territory, which spans the Rio Grande Velley in west Texas to south central New Mexico, from the current 242 vehicles to more than 2,750 vehicles by the year 2030.
Altogether, El Paso Electric is expected to spend up to $10 million on a series of electric vehicle programs, with the goal of establishing charging stations in areas that currently have none.
The official timeline for the new program begins next January with a cut off date of the end of 2023.
By Garry Boulard