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The Ray, Donovan Energy, and ABB have partnered to upgrade the solar-powered electric vehicle charging station at the visitor information center located off Interstate 85 in West Point.

According to a news release from The Ray, the charging station is now three times more powerful than when installed in 2015. That station was the first solar-powered electric vehicle charging station in the southeast, according to the news release.

Additionally, The Ray has taken another innovative step forward with this ABB 175 kW Terra HP, a modular, high-powered charging system designed to minimize charging time.

“At The Ray, we want to demonstrate what’s next and showcase the electrification of transportation,” said John Picard, vice president of The Ray. “With this new charger, we can show how easy it is to store energy and rapidly recharge. Range anxiety has always been an issue with electric cars, but that’s not the case anymore as The Ray switches on the most efficient fast charger in the market.”

Charging at this location is free and provided by The Ray, a nonprofit organization and 18-mile living transportation lab located along the I-85 corridor between LaGrange and the Georgia/Alabama state line.

“From a drive-over tire pressure and tread safety check and solar panels that generate clean energy at the visitor center, to this upgraded EV charging station, to the testing of emerging technologies along I-85 like all-weather striping for machine-operated vehicles, Georgia DOT is proud to work with The Ray,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. “The goal is to bring sustainable and transformative innovations to transportation.”

The ABB modular system was recommended and procured by Donovan Energy, which served as the technology partner to The Ray for this electrification project. Donovan Energy is a clean energy project development and finance company based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

“We felt the flexible architecture of the ABB Terra HP high power solution was an ideal fit for what The Ray was looking to accomplish in this upgrade of their charging infrastructure,” said Jeff Martin, chief operating officer of Donovan Energy.

Bob Stojanovic, director of ABB’s EV infrastructure business in North America, said BB is committed to deploying technology for the advancement of society in a sustainable manner.

“We are privileged to have the opportunity to deploy our DC fast charging technology in a fashion that fits with The Ray’s vision for innovative transportation models and connected communities,” he said in a news release.

The news release said most electric car charging happens at home, but the availability of charging stations on the interstate will allow travelers to travel long distances confidently. The station is solar-powered and grid-connected to ensure it will operate day or night and all year long.

“Having EV chargers in convenient locations like rest stops are the next frontier for electric vehicle charging,” said Tim Echols of the state’s Public Service Commission in a news release. “The Ray, Georgia DOT and city of West Point, are leading the way in bringing this important technology from theory to reality.”