Beam Global announced March 25 that the City of Olathe, Kansas, has deployed six EV ARC solar-powered EV charging systems. Purchased by the city with the support of federal grant funding secured by Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC), the EV ARC systems will be placed at popular public locations in Olathe to provide free EV charging to residents, travelers, and city fleet vehicles.

The City of Olathe is the first in Kansas to deploy EV ARC systems, which are now deployed in five Midwestern states. While the U.S. is the third-largest global market for EVs, adoption has been concentrated in major metropolitan areas and coastal states due, in part, to more extensive EV infrastructure. EV ARC charging systems are off-grid, require no construction, electrical work, nor disruption to operations, and generate no utility bill.

“We see more municipalities deploying cost-effective solar-powered EV charging for both public and fleet use. The message from the Biden administration is driving leaders to sustainable Made in America infrastructure and the EV ARC is ideally aligned with these important initiatives,” said Beam Global CEO Desmond Wheatley. “The City of Olathe’s solar-powered EV ARC systems will allow city residents and government fleet vehicles to benefit economically while improving energy security.”

Olathe’s EV ARC deployment supports progress toward the Olathe 2040: Future Ready strategic plan objectives, including creating affordable and sustainable transportation infrastructure and ensuring reliable city services. Beyond charging for residents, the Beam Global EV ARC systems will fuel the government’s growing fleet of EVs.

Earlier in March, Beam announced the first EV ARC purchase by a forest service site by the USDA Forest Service Job Corps program, which purchased an EV ARC 2020 to power four government fleet vehicles. In Febuary, the District of Columbia Department of Public Works also ordered the EV ARC solar-powered EV charging system to serve its fleet vehicles.