Texas Opens First NEVI-funded EV Charging Location in Happy

HAPPY, TX – December 5, 2024 – Texas’ first National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) site opened yesterday in Happy, along Interstate 27 between Lubbock and Amarillo. The new charging station, owned and operated by Impower Connection, marks a pivotal step in accelerating EV infrastructure buildout in rural areas and ensuring all Texans have access to reliable charging options. Officials from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) ABB E-mobility, Impower Connection and Lonestar Electric Supply cut the ribbon on four Terra 184 chargers manufactured by ABB E-mobility.

"Accelerating the transition to electric mobility and transforming every community takes a team effort. With partners like Impower Connection and Lonestar Electric Supply, we are turning this vision into reality, empowering EV drivers in rural West Texas to charge and travel with confidence,” said Brandt Hastings, President of North America at ABB E-mobility.

As EV adoption accelerates, expanding charging infrastructure – especially in rural communities – is critical in ensuring drivers have access to the infrastructure they need to charge an EV.

“The addition of these new NEVI charging stations will increase rural charging accessibility, enable uninterrupted EV travel along key travel routes, and improve clean mobility choices in rural communities. These new NEVI stations will help improve long-haul travel for EV drivers and riders. We congratulate Texas for their work to build out an EV charging network that supports anyone who chooses to ride and drive electric,” said Gabe Klein, executive director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation in a news item published by the Office.

“FHWA celebrates the opening of Texas’s first NEVI-funded charging station to help communities reliably and accessibly charge their EVs, across rural and urban Texas,” said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Kristin White. “Projects like this show how the U.S. is progressing towards our goal of 500,000 chargers by 2030.”

Powered by ABB E-mobility’s Build America, Buy America-compliant Terra 184 chargers manufactured in South Carolina, the charging site delivers up to 180 kW per charging port and provides integrated CCS and J3400 (NACS) connectors ensuring seamless charging compatibility for nearly all EVs. Its placement in Happy underscores a growing recognition of the critical need to serve drivers in areas outside major urban areas.

The development of the EV charging site was the result of close collaboration between ABB E-mobility, Impower Connection and Lonestar, highlighting the importance of teamwork in accelerating EV infrastructure development.

“We are honored to have contributed to the development of this EV charging site in Happy and toward expanding connectivity in rural Texas. Our team worked diligently to ensure the infrastructure met the highest standards, enabling the rapid deployment of ABB E-mobility’s advanced charging technology,” said Bobby Kelley, Vice President of Operations and Master Electrician at Impower Connection.

“Being part of this initiative in our home state has been especially rewarding. By providing the best solutions and efficient installations, we are advancing EV accessibility and improving infrastructure for drivers along the I-27 corridor,” said Rick Pfeffer, Vice President of Business Development at Lonestar Electric Supply.

Located at 300 N Eastern Ave, Happy, Texas, this new charging station shows the power of public-private partnerships and is a bold step forward in ensuring Texans can embrace the transition to electric vehicles. Now open to the public, it paves the way for more rural communities to benefit from the growing EV charging network.

About Impower Connection

Impower Connection, Inc. leverages 24 years of construction expertise to deliver seamless, turnkey electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. From planning and designing your system to installing chargers and managing site improvements like lighting, signage, parking lot striping, and security upgrades, we handle every detail. We also assist with grant funding consultations and provide long-term maintenance to ensure your commercial EV charging stations remain hassle-free. Our mission is to simplify EV charging station ownership through professional planning, design, con-struction, and maintenance services.

About Lonestar Electric Supply

Beyond servicing electrical contractors for EVSE projects, Lonestar Electric Supply has distribution facilities across Texas and Louisiana that provide material and solutions for commercial construc-tion. Lonestar also has a division for industrial work; engineering, procurement, and construction; and renewable energy. The company employs approximately 800 people and has more than 4,000 contractor partners. Learn more at www.lonestarelectricsupply.com