The deal will see FLO’s fastest 19.2 kW Level 2 chargers used to significantly expand access to EV charging in underserved and rural communities in North America

Quebec-based charging network operator FLO is supplying General Motors with 40,000 Level 2 chargers in the single largest order of electric vehicle chargers in North America to date.

FLO and Michigan-headquartered GM are rolling out the chargers under GM’s Dealer Community Charging Program, launched in 2021, which is working to get more charging infrastructure into underserved communities in Canada and the United States.

“With FLO’s collaboration and the support of our dealer community, we’ll significantly expand reliable and convenient infrastructure across the U.S. and Canada and manifest our all-electric future,” said Hoss Hassani, vice-president of GM EV Ecosystem, in a press release.

“Nearly 90% of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a GM dealership. Our dealers are deeply involved and trusted in their communities and are well positioned to determine locations that expand access to EV charging.”

FLO says the collaboration with GM will double the number of public Level 2 chargers available in North America today and that the chargers deliver a 2.7 times faster charge than other Level 2s.

“GM is a long-term valued collaborator, and we are proud to support this extraordinary effort to grow access to public EV charging in thousands of local communities across North America,” said Louis Tremblay, FLO’s president and CEO, in press materials.

“Together, FLO, GM and GM dealerships will bring reliable charging to drivers from curbside to countryside.”

Expanding access to chargers

The 40,000 Level 2 chargers will be manufactured primarily at FLO’s new facility in Auburn Hills, Mich., which was opened in October.

But the network operator’s Shawinigan, Que., plant will also support manufacturing to fulfill the order.

In a release issued at the time of the Auburn Hills factory opening, Hassani said “GM is working toward an all-electric future, which requires accessible and reliable charging infrastructure. We appreciate FLO’s collaboration with us to make charging access more widespread.”

All of the 40,000 chargers will be available on FLO’s and GM’s Ultium Charge 360 network. They will be open for all drivers to use and placed at GM dealerships across the United States and Canada. Under the Community Charging Program, participating dealerships will be eligible to receive up to 10 19.2-kilowatt Level 2 charging stations.

Already, some chargers have been installed in Wisconsin and Michigan (GM says over 1,000 dealerships — almost a quarter of all GM dealers in North America — have enrolled in the program). Eligible locations for the chargers to be installed include workplaces, multi-unit dwellings, event venues, colleges and universities.

“Dealers in Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Ohio and Washington state are expected to install their first chargers in the weeks and months ahead,” reads GM information.