CHARGE EV, LLC, a collaboration of 31 member-owned electric cooperatives, has added two electric cooperatives to its membership: East Central Energy (ECE), in Braham, Minn., and Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative (ACEC), in Friendship, Wis.

CHARGE EV, LLC’s founding electric cooperatives are located throughout Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, andWisconsin. Together they are building a national electric vehicle (EV) charging brand powered by electric cooperatives and investing in EV-focused companies.

“The addition of these cooperative partners is an important step toward building a national CHARGE™ network powered by co-ops,” said Nate Boettcher, CHARGE EV, LLC, Board Chair and President & CEO of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services. “With ACEC, we now have all Wisconsin electric cooperatives participating. East Central Energy is one of the largest co-ops in Minnesota, serving an important corridor between Minneapolis- St. Paul and the Duluth-Superior metro areas.”

ECE and ACEC have new leaders at the helm who believe EVs are a big part of their future.

“East Central Energy has been a strong supporter of electrical vehicles,” said Justin Jahnz, President & CEO. “Being part of an initiative that brings coops together to support electric vehicle charging drives EV momentum forward.”

John West, ACEC’s Interim General Manager, agrees.

“EVs are a part of our future,” West said. “We know there is growing interest and EV owners will need chargers. Being part of CHARGE help us develop a strategy and provide education and content to create efficiencies for the future.”

Recent announcements from the Biden administration on EV infrastructure reaffirms the need to prepare for the groundswell of drivers who will be charging their vehicles as they travel around their communities and the country.

“Co-ops are well positioned to provide EV charging in rural areas,” Boettcher said. “When members think EV, their locally owned electric cooperative will be there to help answer their questions. Collaborating with other coops, with our members and industry partners are what we do to serve our members.”

Financial details of the investment were not disclosed.

About CHARGE EV, LLC

CHARGE EV, LLC, was created in 2020 by 31 electric cooperatives throughout Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin to help promote electric vehicle (EV) adoption. As electric cooperatives partner with other companies within the EV industry, CHARGE™ will expand its national charging network throughout rural America. This network will also reveal the hidden gems that are our local communities to EV drivers and their passengers. Electric cooperatives serve more than 42 million people across 48 states. More information can be found at www.charge.coop.

Submitted by Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services