Ford Pro, the commercial division within Ford Motor Company, and Xcel have announced a unique collaboration to support the deployment of 30,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging ports in Xcel Energy service territories across the U.S. by 2030 with most upfront costs offset by Xcel for qualifying business fleet customers.

Ford Pro and Xcel Energy are launching the 30x30 initiative within Xcel Energy’s broader Electric Vehicle Supply Infrastructure (EVSI) program to scale EV adoption and increase access to charging infrastructure for business fleets across Xcel Energy’s service areas in the U.S. Through the program, most upfront costs for EV charging equipment and installation for businesses will be offset by Xcel Energy. Ford Pro will offer its suite of end-to-end charging solutions to Xcel Energy business customers as part of the effort. 

Xcel Energy’s Wisconsin customers will soon see the benefits of an improved, high-tech electric grid as the company begins installing smart electric meters at their homes and businesses. Installation work begins today in the company’s southern communities as part of a multiyear project to bring customers cleaner, safer and more reliable energy through advanced grid technology.

"We’re excited to take this next step in building a smarter, more resilient and efficient energy grid and making it easier than ever for customers to understand and manage their energy use,” According to  Karl Hoesly, President, Xcel Energy-Wisconsin. “Smart meters are the starting point for this advanced grid, boosting reliability and providing new tools and technology to help customers lower costs.”

The first meters were installed in the communities of Alma Center, Coon Valley, Ettrick, Hixton, Melrose, Rockland and Spartaas the company sets out to install more than 260,000 of the new devices in Xcel Energy’s Wisconsin service area this year and through 2025.

Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells has hosted a ribbon cutting for one of Wisconsin’s largest and fastest public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations placed at Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells. Casino officials, Ho-Chunk Nation President, Marlon White-Eagle, and officials from Alliant Energy, Inertial Electric, and the Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce were present for the event.

With collaborations from Alliant Energy and Inertial Electric, two ABB Terra 184 fast charging option with pull-in parking as well as a pull-through station which allows easy charging for larger vehicles pulling trailers. Both charging stations are ADA compliant designed and available around the clock in the parking lot just 2 miles south of interstate 90/94, on exit 92.