Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is on the rise nationwide and Ameren Missouri’s Charge Ahead program has provided US$ 1 million in incentives, since the program began to help local businesses and public facilities make EV charging more widely available for drivers.
Another US$ 5 million is still available, but businesses and communities only have until the end of 2022 to partner with Ameren Missouri and take advantage of these financial incentives.
Ameren Missouri’s Charge Ahead program
EV adoption is projected to soar to an estimated 18.7 million in the U.S. alone by 2030
It’s no secret that EVs are becoming more prevalent. More than 50 EV models are available currently and nearly 140 models are expected by 2024, and declining battery costs are predicted to lower the price of EVs to equal those of gasoline cars by 2023.
As the costs and barriers decrease, EV adoption is projected to soar to an estimated 18.7 million in the U.S. alone by 2030. With this growth comes an increased demand for public charging stations.
Funds to help businesses install EV charging stations
Funds are available to help businesses install 1,000 EV charging stations at 350 locations across the state of Missouri, in the United States of America.
The Charge Ahead program provides financial assistance, so businesses can install EV chargers at a reduced cost. Businesses can recoup up to 50% of the total project cost or US$ 5,000 per Level 2 port, and US$ 20,000 per Level 3 port.
Electric-powered vehicles on the rise
Patrick Smith, the Vice President of Economic, Community and Business Development, at Ameren Missouri, said “More and more drivers are interested in transitioning to electric-powered vehicles to reduce their carbon emissions, an issue that is very important to Ameren Missouri, as we work towards our own goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.”
Patrick Smith adds, “By partnering with local businesses, apartment complexes and public facilities, to provide incentives for EV charging, we’re enabling our region to more easily adopt electric vehicles, while also giving businesses an advantage that is attractive to customers and employees alike.”
Installing EV chargers great for businesses
Electronic payment systems make the process even smoother, with no extra work on the hosting business
Installing EV chargers can be great for businesses. EV drivers tend to plan their shopping trips around charging access. Property owners can set their own price for the kilowatt-hours of electricity drivers’ use or offer it for free, as an incentive to draw customers.
Electronic payment systems make the process even smoother, with no extra work on the hosting business or its employees to collect payments for charging.
Wide deployment of EV charging infrastructure
In addition, some local municipalities are starting to require EV charging infrastructure in their building codes. For business owners planning renovations, Ameren Missouri’s incentives may offer a valuable opportunity to reduce renovation construction costs.
Missouri companies and municipalities are already making use of these incentives. The City of Brentwood has made charging easier for residents, by installing four chargers at its recreation center and ice rink, all of which are available for the public to use, at no cost to the user.
