Ameren Missouri plans to distribute $5 million in incentives for business owners to invest in electric vehicle charging stations across the state.
The Charge Ahead initiative aims to encourage electric vehicle adoption and for business owners to take advantage of a growing market, said Bryan Shannon, Ameren’s business development manager for on-road electrification.
“So many people in places are talking about electric vehicles, and there's so much expected growth in EVs,” Shannon said. “It's really a great time to take advantage of these incentives and install that equipment.”
Ameren spent $1 million in business incentives to build charging station projects at businesses and apartment complexes across the state as a part of the initiative. Shannon said Ameren will reimburse businesses up to 50% of the cost of installing charging stations, which on average costs about $7,000.
Shannon said the lack of charging stations is one reason why people are hesitant to purchase an electric vehicle.
“I think that what's important going forward for folks that are considering an EV as their next car is to see those chargers where you work, maybe where you eat, where you shop,” Shannon said. “Our incentive program really helps more businesses across the whole state to be able to provide those charging stations and, you know, help ease that range anxiety, you know, for folks that are considering an EV as their next car.”
The initiative comes as electric vehicles are growing in popularity and municipalities are investing in charging stations.
The Brentwood Board of Aldermen could pass a bill that would require future single-family homes to include the wiring for electric vehicle charging stations, Mayor David Dimmitt said.
Brentwood officials installed four electric charging units outside its recreation center earlier this year. Dimmitt said the city spent $33,000 to install the chargers, but Ameren reimbursed it for half the cost. Dimmitt said the city pays $65 a month for the charging stations.
“This EV installation of these chargers is simply part of this overall project or goal that the city has to promote sustainability,” Dimmitt said. “We are going to be seeing more and more EV cars, electric vehicles on the street. And we're simply trying to further that and to promote that by installing these.”
Missouri is expected to receive $99 million to build electric vehicle charging stations across the state as a part of the infrastructure bill passed by Congress.
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