Electrify America just unveiled its latest design for future charging stations. These aim to be more focused on the customer experience and ease the transition to electrified mobility. With installation planned for 2022 and 2023, these new stations will start appearing in select cities including Santa Barbara, San Francisco, San Diego, Beverly Hills, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. These will join two flagship Electrify America Stations in Baker and Santa Clara, both of which are in California.
“Electrify America will be reinventing the look and feel at many of our charging stations to meet and exceed the expectations of customers moving from a gas-powered vehicle to an electric lifestyle,” said Giovanni Palazzo, President, and CEO of Electrify America. “These new designs will help elevate the charging experience for our customers, building on the foundation of our ultrafast and reliable coast-to-coast network.”
The new design of Electrify America’s upcoming charging stations aims to offer comfortable spaces for customers charging their vehicles. It takes into consideration customer feedback and inputs from architecture and construction consultants to create a human-centric community space. Some of these stations will include 20 DC chargers and include lounges, battery-electric vehicle showcase areas, and dedicated event spaces. If the charging station is located near retail spaces, Electrify America could also include curbside delivery and valet charging options. On-site security cameras and extra lighting will be used to ensure the safety of those using the chargers.
Solar awnings are currently being added to around 400 to 500 individual chargers at 100 charging stations throughout the United States. These will provide shelter from the elements while improving the charging station’s operations by providing additional power. The stations in Baker and Santa Clara already have solar canopies installed and they route captured energy to the on-site battery storage system. Electrify America’s future stations that will be built using these new design concepts will also feature solar panels or canopies.
Alongside the new charging station concepts, Electrify America also unveiled a new generation charger. This will have an output between 150 to 350 kW of power and keep the green glowing lights that are now Electrify America’s trademark. The overall design has a smaller footprint and a new brighter display and reduces glare so it’s easier to use. The single connector cable also has a new cable management system so that it’s easy to plug into your car regardless of where the charging port is located. More battery energy storage systems are also being deployed to an additional 150 stations to improve the management of the load to the grid and capture excess solar energy where possible.
Electrify America’s new charging station layout and charger aims to go beyond simply going there to juice up. The company aims to offer additional amenities where drivers can relax and take a break while their vehicle is charging. This goes beyond what you see in a typical gas station because Electrify America isn’t simply sticking a convenience store next to its chargers. These aim to enhance the level of convenience by giving you space to do more than just charge your car. Expect these new charging station concepts to find their way to more cities. Major metropolitan areas, especially in California and New York, should be among the first to get these new charging stations.
