FPL EVolution® mobile charging trailers keep Florida charged

Florida ranks second in the nation for electric vehicle drivers, and number one for hurricanes. So, what happens to all those EV drivers when a storm is on the way? 

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) pioneered two mobile EV charging trailers in 2023 – the first of their kind in the state at the time. 

Each 39-foot, 1.3-megawatt hour trailer charges six vehicles simultaneously, delivering 4,000 miles of fast charging. 

The FPL EVolution® trailers can be deployed before planned charging station outages or provide a charging boost for drivers during storms to safely aid in evacuations and extend the charging capabilities of existing chargers. 

Caption: Charging stations at one of FPL EVolution®’s mobile EV charging trailers.

"FPL's mobile EV charging trailers serve as a critical component of Florida's emergency preparedness infrastructure, ensuring that electric vehicle owners can maintain mobility and evacuation capabilities during severe weather events,” said Jason Gaschel, project director, FPL Distributed Technology and Transportation. “These portable charging hubs provide essential power access in areas where EV charging equipment may be compromised, enabling residents to safely travel or evacuate if needed.” 

Caption: FPL EVolution® towable EV charging trailer.

During the 2024 hurricane season, FPL piloted smaller fast-charging trailers. The towable, compact charging trailers act as an extension of an existing fast charging site; adding four additional charging ports each and providing up to 1,000 miles of critical range during emergencies. 

During Hurricane Milton, these smaller trailers were instrumental, offering power for 20 charging sessions at a time. 

"This flexible approach ensures that Florida's electric vehicle drivers have reliable access to charging regardless of location or circumstance,” Gaschel added. 

FPL EVolution®’s mobile charging units aren’t only for storms; they can also be deployed ahead of planned EV charging station outages. 

To find the closest charging station, EV drivers can download the free FPL EVolution® app. On the app, drivers can also check port availability, their charging history and trends and discover nearby amenities. When mobile charging units are activated, users will see the pop-up charging stations on the FPL EVolution® app. 

Ahead of any potential severe weather this hurricane season, visit FPL.com/storm for information about protecting your electric vehicle, home or business.