A new milestone has been reached in EV infrastructure development, with the historic US Route 50, known as "America's Loneliest Road," becoming more accessible to electric vehicle drivers through strategic charging installations.

EVgo's latest initiative, EVgo eXtend, represents a significant shift in charging infrastructure business models. Rather than owning charging stations directly, the company now partners with retailers and businesses who pay EVgo to build and maintain the charging network.

A major development in this program is EVgo's collaboration with General Motors Co. to install 2,000 fast-charging stations at Pilot Flying J travel stops across the United States. This partnership introduces a reliable revenue model that's independent of charging station usage rates.

According to Sara Rafalson, EVgo's senior vice president of market development and public policy, this approach allows for expansion into travel corridors while minimizing utilization risks. While EVgo typically aims for a 20% daily utilization rate (approximately five hours per day) to meet profit margins, the Pilot Flying J partnership ensures steady revenue regardless of usage patterns.

This business model innovation helps address one of the major challenges in EV infrastructure development: building charging networks in less-trafficked areas while maintaining financial viability. It marks a significant step forward in making electric vehicle travel more practical across America's vast highway system.

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