Tritium, a leading global developer and manufacturer of direct current (DC) fast chargers for electric vehicles (EVs), announced today a partnership with Wise EV, a subsidiary of renewable energy service provider Wise Power, to provide fast chargers for a new EV charging network across Florida.

The charging network is expected to start with at least 25 locations, with charging stations available at major gas stations throughout the state. Florida is the number 2 state in the nation for  EV sales, according to the Department of Energy, and received the third-largest state allocation under the Feb. 10, 2022, Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration’s $615 million National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program Guidance, as part of the $7.5 billion investment in electric vehicle charging as part of the 2022 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

“Wise EV shares Tritium’s vision of ubiquitous DC fast charging where EV motorists can drive across the country and within major high-density population cities with the full confidence they will have a place for fast charging, without planning,” said Mike Calise, Tritium of the Americas President. “We believe this is the beginning of a long-term partnership that will help provide Americans the charging infrastructure necessary to enable the electrification of transportation and the environmental and decarbonization benefits that go along with it.”

The duo of companies plan to expand the network using a hub and spoke philosophy, centering the charging around metropolitan hubs like Miami and Jacksonville, and connecting those cities through interstate-based charging spokes.

As of the beginning of the new year, Florida has just 844 DC charging stations, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Commerce, trailing other highly populated states like New York and Texas. In July of 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis allocated nearly $9 million to strengthen the state’s existing EV infrastructure.

“This long-term investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure is a win for our state on multiple levels,” said Governor DeSantis. “Not only will these charging stations promote reduced emissions and better air quality, but they will also improve mobility and safety for the ever-increasing number of Floridians that drive electric cars. I look forward to building on this investment and continuing our work to improve Florida’s environment and transportation infrastructure.”

Money for the charging stations was deducted from $166 million that Florida received as its share of a $14.7 billion settlement between Volkswagen and the U.S. Department of Justice over emissions violations.