A ribbon cutting event was held on July 25 for a 150 kW electric vehicle (EV) charger at the Prentice (Wis.) Truck and Travel Center, which is served by Price Electric, a Dairyland member cooperative. The Prentice site represents the final fast charger installation of Dairyland's Special EV Infrastructure Incentive Program for its member cooperatives.

Dairyland is a national leader in the establishment of EV charging infrastructure in its four-state rural service territory. Since 2018, Dairyland has supported the installation of nearly 160 EV chargers in rural communities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois - and will continue to do so through new grants and initiatives.

“Supporting the expansion of electric vehicle charging stations aligns with Dairyland’s goal to reduce carbon emissions,” said Dairyland Manager, Innovation & Efficient Electrification Jeff Springer. “As a critical services provider in rural areas, Dairyland is working to ensure that small towns are considered in current and future plans for charging infrastructure.” 

Dairyland is a founding member of chargEV, a national EV charging network powered by electric cooperatives that supports the growing number of electric-powered cars, trucks and buses through education, awareness and charger installations.

Dairyland’s newest in-house EV investment is a Ford E-Transit cargo van, used daily for local and regional deliveries by its Powered Printing team. The zero emissions vehicle has a 120 mile range that covers all daily delivery needs.

Looking for a charging station? Check out the PlugShare app to locate charging infrastructure along your route. EV chargers are located at restaurants, hotels, golf courses, convenience stores and multi-family housing sites. Dairyland’s member cooperatives serve chargers at numerous sites along Interstate highways. 

Photo: Dairyland Manager, Innovation & Efficient Electrification Jeff Springer and Innovation Engineer I Ethan Kiesling participated in the July 25 ribbon cutting with Price Electric CEO Jeff Olson, ZEF Energy Director, Operations Mark Kurilla, GPM Investments Regional Service Manager Mike Donovan, Price Electric board members and employees.