The grand opening of a new Travel Centers of America truck stop, featuring an electric vehicle (EV) charging station, was celebrated near Hosston, Louisiana, with the support of multiple departments within SWEPCO.
The ceremony took place on Friday, April 5, 2024, marking the debut of the first EV charging station situated between Shreveport and Texarkana, on LA 2 at Interstate 49. A large gathering, including local leaders from Caddo Parish, attended the event.
Innovative Infrastructure
Jeff Thigpen, SWEPCO's Alternate Energy Resource Manager, spoke to the attendees, emphasizing the forward-thinking nature of the project. “This is what we do,” he stated. Thigpen highlighted the significance of the charging station, noting its strategic location as the sole option on this stretch.
User Experience and Impact
The new facility has proven beneficial for travelers such as Rebecca and Jonathon Pratcher from Atlanta, Georgia. Returning home from Redwater, Texas, they expressed appreciation for the convenience offered by the charging station.
“I'm so glad this one is here,” Rebecca shared, noting her car's EV map had been updated to include this new amenity.
Collaborative Efforts and Economic Benefits
Critical to the project's success was the collaboration of SWEPCO's engineering, distribution, and alternate energy teams, who ensured the completion of the charging station in this rural part of the north Caddo interstate corridor.
The initiative is expected to have a positive economic impact, as mentioned by Louisiana State Senator Sam Jenkins. “Economic development and jobs are critically important in this area of Caddo Parish,” Jenkins remarked, expressing optimism for further growth along I-49.
