The Washington State Department of Transportation and electric transportation technology provider AeroVironment have added ten new public charging stations along the route of the West Coast Electric Highway.

A tri-state network of electric vehicle charging stations, the West Coast Electric Highway is to stretch 1,300 miles from California to Canada.

"Today moves us a giant step closer to the day when we can drive our electric cars from Bellingham, Washington to San Diego, California along Interstate 5, secure in the knowledge we can quickly recharge our vehicles along the way," said Washington Governor Chris Gregoire.

The new stations, provided by AeroVironment, stretch along the highway from Seattle to the Canadian border. Seven will be on Interstate 5 and three along U.S. Route 2 in northern Washington.

Eight of the new charging stations feature AeroVironment's "DC fast chargers," which can deliver a full charge to an electric vehicle battery in less than 30 minutes. All of the stations include AeroVironment Level 2 chargers.

"A 21st-century transportation system in Washington must provide options for drivers, especially as more people convert to electric vehicles," said Washington State Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond. "Creating a sustainable transportation system protects our air from harmful emissions and conserves our resources."

The West Coast Electric Highway was inaugurated in Southern Oregon on March of this year. It will connect California, Oregon and Washington along I-5.

The U. S. Department of Energy provided seed funding of $1.5 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to expand the West Coast Electric Highway in Washington. The funding is administered by the Department of Commerce through the State Energy Program. – EcoSeed Staff