New Mexico approves investment for electric car charging infrastructure

NEW MEXICO – New Mexico’s Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC) approved El Paso Electric Company’s (EPE) Transportation and Electrification Plan (TEP) to greenlight an investment of more than $1.2 million for electric vehicle-focused infrastructure.

In addition, the investment would also be earmarked for education and outreach about the new plan in southern New Mexico.

“The approval of this plan takes us a step forward in fulfilling our mission to transform the energy landscape in order to meet the changing and growing needs of our customers. We are 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,” said EPE President and CEO Kelly A. Tomblin.

The company filed the TEP with the NMPRC on December 30, 2020. The goal of the two-year plan is to increase the use of electric vehicles by incentivizing the installation and use of adequate infrastructure for smart charging through rebate and pilot rate programs.

It was also announced that more than 450 thousand dollars over the next two years will be allocated to incentives and customer training.

According to EPE’s Director of Innovation and Sustainability Jessica Christianson, the new plan also includes a grid electrification impact study.

“Transportation is the second largest contributor to air pollution, and with the proven fact that electric cars can save families thousands of dollars in fuel and maintenance, this initiative is extremely important to meeting environmental goals,” she said.

Source: MEXICO-NOW Staff