10 new ultra-fast charging stations for electric vehicles will be set up on Highway 90, after the regional councils of the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley received grants from the Energy and Infrastructure Ministry and in the amount of NIS 500,000 for their installation.
The stations are expected to be located in central complexes of commerce, tourism, and businesses near Highway 90, in two regions currently suffering from a lack of fast charging stations on one hand, and have a demand for them because reaching them requires many to drive a relatively long distance. The stations will be built and operated by Afcon Electric Transportation (ON). In the northern Dead Sea area, there is currently only a charging facility for a GNRGE at the Lido Junction, and the next ones are about 100 km south, in the hotel area in Neve Zohar.
At this stage, the establishment of stations is being considered at the Biqa'a Junction near Petza'el, and locations in the Dead Sea region are being examined such as an experiential center planned to be built near the Lido Junction, the Almog Junction, Komran National Park, Mitspe Shalem adjacent to "Ahava" offices, in the village of Kalya, and in the settlement of Avnei Eitan. The aim is to complete the establishment by the end of the year.
These are stations that will serve travelers and returnees from Eilat and the Arava, and travelers and returnees to the Beit She'an Valley and the area of the Kinneret and the Golan Heights.
According to data from the Energy Ministry, there are currently about 400 ultra-fast charging stations in Israel, meaning charging stations with a power supply of over 150 kilowatts.
Energy and Infrastructure Minister, Eli Cohen, stated that "we continue to lead the revolution towards sustainable energy in the local government. The cluster work strengthens the ministry's support for the establishment of charging stations for electric vehicles, and by doing so, we continue to reduce emissions and improve the quality of life of residents in Israel. We are constantly working to expand the deployment of public charging stations throughout the country so that the range of electric vehicles will reach all population groups and regions of the country."
The tender was managed by the Judea and Samaria Union in the Interior Ministry, together with the Energy and Infrastructure Ministry. The CEO of the cluster, Keren Gefen, stated: "The process will lead to the expansion of the charging network in the State of Israel, which will improve the quality of life for Israeli citizens in general, and particularly in the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea regions."