New Plano plant to produce 10,000 EV fast-charges annually

Plano - Texas' embrace of electric vehicle (EV) technology is gaining momentum as a groundbreaking manufacturing plant springs up in Plano, poised to fabricate a range of high-speed charging stations. This strategic advancement promises to benefit the swiftly growing community of Texan EV owners by providing them with the resources to speed up their travels.

Located along the dynamic Plano Parkway, the innovative factory is owned by SK Signet, a South Korean titan in the industry. In this fresh production center, they are crafting a product far superior to conventional home units - charging apparatuses with an impressive 350 kW output.

"This facility will produce over 10-thousand American-made, ultra-fast EV chargers per year," said Jung Ho Shin, the CEO of SK Signet, according to FOX 4.

While rooted in Plano, the output of this facility won't be limited to its hometown. On the contrary, it's expected to be purchased by charging station operators, who will subsequently oversee its nationwide distribution and installation.

Looking forward, the South Korean company has detailed plans to enhance the local employment scene. It aspires to foster workforce growth at the Plano factory, planning to introduce 183 specialized jobs by 2026.

These ultra-fast charging stations are primed to revolutionize the EV technology standard, boasting the capacity to recharge EVs in an unprecedentedly short period. This pivotal development has the potential to propel Texas further on the path of eco-friendly transportation, making EV usage increasingly practical for its residents.

"Fast chargers that can charge a truck or car in 15 minutes. The technology is amazing," said John Muns, the mayor of Plano.

Electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Texas has reached a significant milestone, according to Lori Clark, Program Manager at the North Central Texas Council of Governments and Director of the DFW Clean Cities Coalition. Clark, whose role provides deep understanding of EV registration data monitoring, collaborates closely with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

The appeal of EVs in the famed Lone Star State has witnessed an unmatched upswing, emphasized by escalating registration figures that reveal an unmistakable trend of rising favorability.

"Texas is really number two behind California in terms of their emphasis and focus of investment," said Clark.

To aid the swift shift towards EVs, Texas plans to employ substantial federal funding. An impressive amount up to $408 million, derived from the bipartisan infrastructure bill approved last year, is destined to contribute towards the creation of a comprehensive state-wide network of fast-charging stations.

Scheduled for the upcoming year, this ambitious project intends to set up over 50 new charging sites. These power hubs will be strategically located across Texas, covering major interstates that link the state's key urban hubs - El Paso, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Houston. Furthermore, the plan generously extends to encompass peripheral regions such as the Panhandle and the Rio Grande Valley, with a handful of stations slated for installation in these areas.

"We get a lot of interest from rural communities, just as much as we might get within kind of the urban core," said Clark.

Credit: FOX 4 News, Dallas Metro News, SK Signet - Newsroom