At the Fall 2021 Energy Speaker Series event on electric vehicle charging, we heard from three key players involved in developing a Level III charging network for Alaska’s largest road system from Homer to Fairbanks. Our speakers included Tim Leach from SparkBox LLC and Alaska Energy Authority’s EV Working Group, Kris Hall of ReCharge Alaska, and Steve Mierop from Three Bears Alaska.
Before discussing Alaska’s charging station infrastructure, it’s important to note that there has been an incredible rate of growth in EV sales in 2021 (and over the past decade). Q2 of 2021 was the highest quarter for EV sales ever in the U.S. Additionally, the cumulative number of EVs were up 17% in the first half of 2021. The reason for this growth is due to the overwhelming benefits of the electrification of transportation. This includes increased cost savings, emission savings, jobs in local communities, local expenditures for transportation, and benefits to public health. (Source: Atlas Public Policy)
Following the U.S. trend, Alaska is also seeing a large increase in EV sales in 2021. The total amount of EVs on Alaska’s roads is about 1400 vehicles with 1000 of those being battery electric vehicles and 400 being plug-in hybrid vehicles. The growth rate is impressive but there are still some barriers to adoption. These barriers include the purchase price, range anxiety, cold-weather performance, battery capacity, lack of EV charging infrastructure, and electric demand charges. However, Alaska’s public corporations, utilities, businesses, and advocates are working to break down these barriers. (Source: AEA EV Working Group)
One of the large barriers to adoption is building out an EV charging network that can support EV trips across the state. Currently, Alaska has 68 charging stations in Alaska with 6 of those being fast chargers (DCFC). Many of these stations are located in Juneau, a leader in EV adoption in Alaska due to their slightly warmer temperatures and short roadways.
Alaska Energy Authority (AEA), ReCharge Alaska and businesses, like Three Bears, among many others are working to build a charging network from Homer to Fairbanks and increase the number of fast chargers in this region.
Currently, AEA has allocated $1 million from the VW emissions settlement to build 9 EV fast charging stations from Homer to Fairbanks. These stations will be located less than 100 miles apart and are expected to be complete by the Summer of 2022.
| Community | Site Host | Chargers |
| Seward | Seward Chamber of Commerce | 1 DCFC and 1 L2 |
| Homer | AJ’s Old Town Steakhouse and Tavern | 1 DCFC and 1 L2 |
| Soldotna | Northern Outdoors | 1 DCFC and 1 L2 |
| Cooper Landing | Grizzly Ridge Lodge | 1 DCFC and 1 L2 |
| Anchorage | Dimond Center | 1 DCFC |
| Chugiak | Three Bears Alaska | 2 DCFC and 1 L2 |
| Trapper Creek | Three Bears Alaska | 2 DCFC and 1 L2 |
| Cantwell | Jack River Inn | 1 DCFC and 1 L2 |
| Healy | Three Bears Alaska | 2 DCFC and 1 L2 |
Source: Alaska Business Magazine, June 17, 2021
AEA will also be putting in community-based level 2 chargers at state-owned facilities.
Three Bears Alaska is the site host at 3 locations for the AEA program. This will include charging stations that are almost complete at Birchwood, Talkeetna, and Healy. Additionally, the new Three Bears in Sterling will have a charging station paid for by Three Bears itself.
ReCharge Alaska, an organization committed to advancing the EV transformation through the deployment of DC Fast Chargers, is also working to provide charging infrastructure on the Richardson Highway in Delta and Glennallen in 2022. Tesla has also installed its first supercharge station in Soldotna and is the northernmost North American station.
Through these efforts, Alaska’s charging infrastructure on the Railbelt is growing which is helping to reduce range anxiety and increase accessibility. The more charging stations available, the more Alaskans will consider purchasing an EV creating a healthier, cleaner environment for our state. Learn more by watching the presentation embedded above.
REAP’s Education Director Colleen Fisk purchased a used EV in summer of 2020 – you can check out her blog post about her experience driving an EV in the Mat-Su Valley here.
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