The company said it’s aiming to have EV chargers installed at 50 branches across the country by summer 2023. Construction on the first location in Carmel, Indiana, has already begun, and will open this summer.

“Many of our customers are transitioning to electric vehicles, and the expansion of the EVgo Advantage program is a natural next step for The Save Mart Cos.,” Hal Levitt, senior vice president of retail operations and supply chain at Modesto, Calif.-based Save Mart, said in a statement. “Over the last three years, our customers have charged more than 5 million minutes on EVgo chargers at our stores, and we look forward to adding these additional convenient charging stations to drive greater benefits for our customers and continue our ongoing commitments to sustainability initiatives.”

Companies are opening brightly lighted, canopied lots and converting gas stations into charging destinations, as well as investing in better signage. The upgrades and expansion will satisfy new demand and make it clear to non-EV drivers that charging stations would be available to them if they went electric.

The next trio of curbside chargers, planned to open in midtown at 22nd and J streets before the end of October, will also be painted. The six at those two locations join six already established at Southside Park, near 6th and W streets.

All are operated by EVgo, an electric vehicle charging network with which the city has partnered.

“As EVgo’s fleet customers are experiencing firsthand, electrification is better for both the planet and the bottom line – which is in part why EV sales are booming across the country,” said Cathy Zoi, CEO of EVgo, in the release. “In addition to electric cars, trucks, and vans, there's a crucial component for electrifying fleets that can’t be overlooked: reliable and convenient charging solutions that are part of the game plan from day one. With our new hardware, software, and service offerings through EVgo Optima and EVgold, we can reach even more fleet operators whether they need L2 or DCFC charging at their depot or away from base."

EVgo has announced a new loyalty program where customers can earn points toward future free charging sessions. The program, called EVgo Rewards, is a first of its kind for public charging networks in the US, according to EVgo. Here’s everything you need to know.

The Biden administration is seeking to address the lack of public EV chargers in its $1 trillion infrastructure spending bill making its way through Congress. Biden, who ran for president promising to tackle climate change, is proposing to spend $7.5 billion to expand the nation’s EV charging network, particularly in low-income and rural areas. If passed, the bill would bring this country’s first major investment aimed at EV infrastructure and put a charge in an industry key to the energy transition.