Numerous companies are involved in making the corridors a reality, including automakers BMW, GM and Nissan as well as charging station veterans like ChargePoint and EVgo. GE, New York state and multiple power companies are lending a hand as well.

There's one glaring omission in the plan: a timetable. It could be years before you can drive from one side of the US to the other without worrying about where and when you'll top up along the way. Also, which standards will it support -- will you have guaranteed fast charging no matter what you drive? However, the very existence of the plan is important. Much as the national highway system changed how Americans got around, the charging corridors could almost eliminate one of the major anxieties about ditching gas-powered cars. The biggest challenge after that is making sure stations keep up with both demand and evolving technology, since a robust network of small or outdated stations won't be useful.