Challenge

For EV drivers in cities, charging can be difficult to access for various reasons. Installing chargers in cities can be time-intensive and expensive, or they can be challenging to site and get a utility connection to the grid. Even once installed, traditional chargers are bulky and may not blend well with streetscapes. How can cities scale rapid, cost-effective charging?

Objectives and solutions

it’s electric, a New York-based company, has leveraged a creative and simple solution to power a charger by tapping into excess electric capacity in a nearby building. This approach to using existing infrastructure and grid connections to power curbside chargers across cities can save time and money, enabling rapid EV charging installation at scale. it’s electric developed public charging with the intention of it being a permanent replacement and solution for a home charger. 

it’s electric partners with property owners seeking to install chargers on their property’s curbs. it’s electric powers their chargers using the spare electrical capacity from existing buildings, which they confirm with the property owner. During their short, two-day installation process, they run a shallow conduit from the building’s electrical panel to the new charger, which is located at the curb. The installation process is much quicker than the average curbside charger, even though they still have to get the appropriate permits from the city. The chargers are also separately metered so that the electrical usage can be billed separately and paid to the utility by it’s electric.

it’s electric chargers are all Level 2 and available to the public 24/7 all year. The chargers have been carefully designed to blend better with cityscapes by occupying less square footage and visual space, and to be tough enough to survive being located at the curb. it’s electric is also the first U.S. company to apply a smart design principle that works in Europe: detachable cables (also known as the bring your own cable (BYOC) model). 

it’s electric owns, operates, and maintains the chargers at no cost to the property owner. In fact, it’s electric offers a revenue share with the property owner. Through their initial partnerships, it’s electric is learning that property owners enjoy that they don’t have to manage the parking for chargers. The revenue share for host property partners is $0.06/kWh. This comes out to between $700-$3400 (based on utilization) per year per charger that goes back to the property owner. 

For the driver, the process is simple. Drivers download the it’s electric app, join the network, and request a cable, which it’s electric provides at no cost to the driver. Each driver receives their own charging cable with a connector that matches their vehicle, which can be attached to it’s electric’s chargers. Importantly, their model does not require a membership. Once the driver receives their cable, they can charge at it’s electric chargers. Pricing of charging varies by city. The price is set by it’s electric and the city where the charger is located, and they typically recommend a time-based pricing model with time-of-use rates. This creates both an incentive to unplug the car when it’s done charging and encourages overnight charging by offering a lower nighttime rate.  For the first it’s electric charger installed in Boston, charging costs $1.50 per hour at night (9 pm-6 am) and $3 per hour during the day (6 am-9 pm).

Elements for Success

• By leveraging existing buildings to power charging, it’s electric eliminates time-intensive and costly steps to install chargers. Additionally, their ability to approach property owners with a simple, cost-beneficial solution helps convince building owners that EV charging is an asset.
• The detachable charging cable is designed for cities, where vandalism is often a concern, because charging cables left outside are at risk. With a detachable cable, it’s electric doesn’t have to provide multiple connector types on the chargers themselves. What’s more, it’s electric designed their chargers (including the detachable cable) specifically for the city curbside. The chargers are low-profile and sleek, so they blend seamlessly with cityscapes.

References

• it’s electric
• These Startups Are Finally Bringing EV Chargers to America’s Cities – WSJ
• Breaking Barriers: A Startup Changes The Game For EV Charging In Cities
• Boston and its electric launch the next generation of Urban EV charging

Recap: 

Charger type: Level 2 charging
Charging type: Public
Problem solved: Access, Equipment
Solution type: Technology

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Challenge

Getting EV charging in cities can be extra challenging because they’re expensive, and many drivers who would use them most don’t yet have EVs (likely because they don’t have access to charging). This catch–22 makes it difficult to find public charging in cities. For rideshare drivers, who are high-mileage drivers, this lack of access can make driving an EV for rides impossible. How can urban drivers, especially rideshare drivers, be supported in their charging needs?

Objectives and solutions

Enter Revel. Revel is an EV charging company that started installing public charging to provide access to charging in dense urban areas that don’t have ample public charging and where drivers don’t have access to charging at home. Revel has taken a novel approach to funding their charging projects: building an all-electric rideshare platform. 

Many rideshare drivers operate in cities where charging infrastructure is sparse, and the lack of charging stations close to popular pickup and drop-off locations can lead to long wait times, inefficient routes, and unnecessary downtime. For drivers who rely on EVs, this barrier makes it difficult to maintain an effective, profitable work schedule.

Revel’s concept to leverage its rideshare platform to deploy public EV charging is the first of its kind in the US. These charging stations are designed to serve electric vehicles used in ridesharing, ensuring that drivers can quickly and efficiently recharge their EVs during breaks without disrupting their schedules. The chargers are open to the public 24/7. Revel’s charging stations are equipped with DC fast chargers rated at 150kW and 320kW, depending on the site. Revel chargers have both NACS and CCS connector types to ensure all drivers can charge their vehicles. 

Revel’s fleet of electric vehicles for rideshare services is available to provide an accessible option for drivers. Revel partners with platforms like Uber to provide discounts on EV charging and enable drivers to utilize the Revel charging network as part of their daily routines, further incentivizing EV adoption among those in the rideshare industry. 

Revel is currently the largest provider of public EV charging in New York City. Building on their momentum, Revel has secured a $60 million loan from the state of New York to triple their public EV charging capacity in NYC.

Elements for Success

• Revel’s decision to build an all-electric rideshare platform and ability to partner with popular rideshare services like Uber ensures that drivers can easily incorporate the use of Revel’s vehicles and charging infrastructure into their workday.
• This integration provides drivers with a hassle-free solution that makes it easier to adopt electric vehicles.

References

• Revel 
• NYC’s fastest EV charging company, Revel, opens its first West Coast station 
• Revel and PANYNJ Open New EV Charging Station at JFK
• New York loans Revel $60M to expand NYC public EV charging

Recap:

Average charging cost: $0.54/kWh
Charging type: Public
Problem addressed: Access
Solution type: Technology

The post Revel is powering cities with public EV charging and all-electric rideshares appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Charging and parking can be difficult for EV drivers in cities. The city of Pittsburgh aims to reduce on-road transportation emissions by 50% and is working to increase vehicle electrification to do so. Pittsburgh also wants to revitalize its downtown Strip District and create more space for local businesses to grow. How can cities use their limited parking space efficiently while providing charging access for EV drivers?

Objectives and solutions

Stak Mobility has developed an open-air vertical parking carousel in Pittsburgh, with other structures in Healdsburg, CA, Gainesville, FL, and Charleston, SC. Each of the 42 parking spaces available in the carousel is outfitted with a Level 2 EV charger. While users don’t necessarily need to have an EV to use this parking carousel, the structure provides a convenient way for EV drivers to find charging. It can provide charging confidence to curious consumers about the options available.

Drivers who want to park in the carousel simply use the Stak Mobility app to find a spot and reserve parking. They confirm through the app and use it to get their car once it’s ready. While some structures have had a valet on-site, this particular carousel is self-service. Drivers pay a monthly subscription for parking and charging, which varies based on the car size.

Stak Mobility’s carousels not only provide charging but also work much more efficiently than the average parking garage. This specific solution freed up about 10,000 square feet of space within the building that can be used for commercial and retail space for local businesses. 

Elements for Success

• Stak Mobility has used private investment to create an EV charging solution that uses space vertically rather than horizontally. EV drivers get more parking space with chargers equipped at each one. The cities targeted for these projects benefit from more space for local businesses and attractions, which can boost their local economy.
• This technological solution provides more charging opportunities in areas where multifamily housing is prevalent and makes charging easy for residents without dedicated parking spaces.

References

• Stak Mobility
• Stak Mobility to Launch Second Mobility Hub in Pittsburgh; Sees Continued Momentum Across the US
• In Pittsburgh, this vertical parking carousel can fit 42 cars – and offers EV charging for every one
• Stak in the News
• Unique ‘carousel’ parking lot accommodating electric vehicles in Strip District

Recap:

Charging cost: Monthly subscription
Charging type: Public
Problem addressed: Access, Equipment
Solution type: Technology

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Challenge

Public charging is often more expensive than home charging and requires smart location siting to ensure it can serve drivers’ needs. How can public charging be affordable and convenient for drivers dependent on public infrastructure to get a charge?

Objectives and solutions

Shell Recharge’s Volta EV Charging Network has over 2,000 stations across the country, which typically are available at no cost to an EV driver. Volta installs and manages its Level 2 chargers, which are equipped with a universal connector to ensure that any EV can use its network. 

Not only are Volta chargers free, but they’re also generally installed in easily reachable locations. Whole Foods is an example of this; the chain hosts at least 37 Level 2 Volta chargers in their parking lots across the country. This allows for EV drivers around the country to top up their battery level while getting groceries they need. 

Volta chargers exist at locations like this nationwide, enabling convenience in public EV charging. Lindsey, an EV driver in Texas, provided one example of this in her life. “I absolutely love when a Volta charger is free at the ice rink, so I can top up while I’m practicing. I don’t have a charger at home, so I have to rely on public chargers for all my power needs. The Volta chargers save me time and are conveniently located at a place I already visit once a week.”

Volta’s free-of-charge service can exist because of the business model it uses. The chargers feature digital screens that display advertisements. As long as Volta can make revenue from advertisements, then they can offer their charging at no cost to the driver.

Elements for Success

• The most appealing feature of the Volta charging network is that many of its chargers are free to the driver. Volta explored creative revenue paths with its chargers, which allow it to generate revenue without the driver having to pay for charging.
• Beyond the cost, the chargers are available at convenient locations that can fit into a consumer’s routine. By focusing on places that EV drivers are going to be anyway – such as a grocery store – Volta is making their chargers accessible.

References

• Volta EV Charging Network
• Startup Volta will charge your electric car for free – seriously

Recap:

Average charging cost: Free!
Charging type: Public
Problem addressed: Access, Cost
Solution type: Technology

The post Volta Charging offers free charging at over 2,000 public charging locations across the country appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Private home EV chargers can be used more efficiently. Whether it be because someone is away at work, on a trip, or just not using their home charger at any given time, those chargers can lie dormant for periods of time during a day or week. How can existing infrastructure be used to provide more charging opportunities for those without access?

Objectives and solutions

Even the most avid home charger users do not charge their vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week. EVmatch is a mobile app that connects people with EV chargers to people who need EV chargers, allowing users to rent out chargers whenever they are available. Those renting out their chargers can dictate when their chargers are available for use. 

Charging hosts can also decide the price of charging, which allows them to either cover the cost of charging or profit from the charge. EV charging seekers can compare different prices and available times to determine their best charging option. 

Once a charging session has been completed using an EVmatch charger, hosts can either request a direct payout or they can convert those earnings into EVmatch credit. This credit can then be used to charge at other EVmatch stations.

Elements for Success

• EVmatch represents the direct-to-consumer option for EV charging. Users of EVmatch do not have to wait for their municipalities to create EV charging solutions or companies to create more charging access. They can simply use the EVmatch platform to find charging that already exists when they need it. 
• This solution also makes private charging as efficient as possible. Hosts can maximize the time their chargers are used, which can help other residents within their local communities.

References

• Earn Money Sharing Your Home EV Charging Station
• EVmatch: A simple, low-cost way to monetize your charging stations

Recap:

Number of active chargers: over 1,000
Charging type: Private
Problem addressed: Access
Solution type: Technology

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Challenge

Multifamily building owners are often reluctant to install EV chargers because of the high upfront cost, building upgrades, and maintenance required. Tenants who live in these buildings may not be willing to drive an EV if there are no charging stations available. Even if there are no current tenants who drive EVs, multifamily buildings need to plan for the future and install charging stations as a basic service for residents. How can building owners and managers be motivated and supported to build EV infrastructure for residents?

Objectives and solutions

Amperage Capital has an innovative solution to this problem. Based in Dallas, Texas, Amperage Capital is an infrastructure investor and operator with a goal to close the gap between EV infrastructure demand and investment. Amperage knows that EV adoption will continue to accelerate, presenting a huge opportunity for long-term investment in charging infrastructure. Amperage Capital will pay 100% of the cost of charging equipment and installation, including Level 2 and DC fast chargers, and offer property owners a revenue share, which brings in extra income. The installation process is quick and simple. Chargers are assembled off-site and installed in a few days, minimizing on-site work and utility upgrades. 

For EV drivers, the process is even easier. Each tenant is assigned a parking space with a charger for their exclusive use. They activate the chargers using their phone or RFID card, which they receive after signing a lease agreement. Tenants make a small monthly payment for the cost of charging through an app. Amperage owns and maintains the charging stations, and property owners collect a share of the revenue. Amperage Capital works to help all kinds of buildings, including retailers, hospitals, city governments, and parking garages, provide reliable and accessible EV charging and keep up with growing demand. 

Elements for Success

• Long-term, upfront investment makes charging infrastructure installation possible for more multifamily building owners and residents and ensures buildings will be ready for future tenants who drive EVs.
• The simple process for residents to reserve parking spaces with EV chargers and pay a monthly fee opens up the opportunity to drive an EV to more renters.

References

• Home – Amperage Capital
• Driver Home – Amperage Capital 

Recap:

Charging cost: Small monthly subscription
Charging type: Private
Problem addressed: Access, Equipment
Solution type: Technology

The post Amperage Capital motivates landlords to install EV infrastructure through revenue share model appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Demand for electricity from the grid fluctuates throughout the day, which causes prices to fluctuate as well. Electric vehicle (EV) batteries can charge and store energy when demand is low and feed it back into the grid when demand is high. How can we leverage this unique EV capability for multifamily housing residents?

Objectives and solutions

BlueHub Capital, a nonprofit community development financing organization, saw an opportunity for affordable housing developments to provide EV charging for residents while earning credits from their local electric utility. They partnered with Fermata Energy, a company that makes a bi-directional EV charger that can transport electricity between a vehicle and the grid (which is called vehicle-to-grid or V2G charging). This utility partnership allows EVs at multifamily residences to support grid efficiency while earning revenue to help lower the costs of charger installation and the electricity for charging. The first location selected for this V2G pilot was the Girls Latin Academy Apartments located in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, MA, and managed by the Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation.

Since June 2023, a resident at this affordable housing complex has been able to rent a Nissan LEAF and charge it at home using Fermata Energy’s 20kW bi-directional charger. The local electric utility, Eversource, notifies Fermata Energy of an ‘event’ when they need additional power and electricity will be discharged from the car back into the grid. These ‘events’ are usually in the evenings in the summer, corresponding with peak energy demand. Eversource pays Fermata Energy $200 per kW discharged during an ‘event’. If the car is plugged in for a total of 40 to 60 events for 2 to 3 hours each, it could earn up to $4,000 per summer, which could offset electricity costs for charging.

This project required an upfront loan from BlueHub Capital for the building’s charger installation. The driver receives free charging and discounts on their car lease from Enterprise and insurance. In the future, the pilot could be expanded to include more drivers who could bring their own cars, more buildings that can earn revenue, and software that can manage the load of each vehicle in a bank of chargers. For now, the participating driver appreciates the opportunity to save money and build a more sustainable future.

Elements for Success

• The upfront loan provided by BlueHub Capital made this project possible for an affordable housing development that may not have otherwise been able to provide EV charging for residents.
• The utility partnership between Fermata Energy and Eversource was critical for the installation process and the bidirectional charging software, which allows credits for energy discharged back into the grid during peak ‘events.’

References

• Electric Vehicle Pilot – BlueHub Capital
• First-in-Nation Pilot to Provide Affordable Access to EV
• How V2X works – Fermata Energy

Recap:

Charger type: DC fast charging
Charging type: Private
Problem solved: Access, Equipment, Cost
Solution type: Technology

The post Fermata Energy offsets charging costs in multifamily housing through vehicle-to-grid pilot appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Installing EV chargers in multifamily properties can often require expensive electrical upgrades, especially when retrofitting existing buildings with limited panel capacity. How can technology support EV charging by capping additional load to save on costly infrastructure upgrades?  How can they scale their charging needs effectively?

Objectives and solutions

SWTCH Energy provides multiple solutions designed to accommodate EV charging in multifamily properties. Their product SWTCH Portal is a customized dashboard that gives building managers real-time information and control over rate structures, turn-key billing, loitering enforcement, and access control. This product makes charger operation simple for property managers, especially those with many chargers at one site. It is a tailored solution designed for the needs of each specific property. Another product that SWTCH offers is SWTCH Control, an advanced load manager that maximizes the number of chargers that can be installed while avoiding infrastructure costs resulting from increased demand. 

One example of advanced load management is at the Lofts at Beacon, located in Beacon, New York. When residents started to request EV charging as new units were being added to their property, the building installed 10 EV chargers that all existed on individual circuits. By using SWTCH Control, which provides continuous monitoring of chargers, the property could expand to up to 40 charging units with no need for electrical upgrades. With this much capacity, even people who don’t live in the Lofts can use the chargers.

With a convenient app and platform for both users and operators and 24/7 support available to its users, SWTCH Energy improves efficiency for property managers and residents to ensure EV charging can meet current and future demand.

Elements for Success

• SWTCH’s tailored and comprehensive portal allows building managers to observe and control their chargers in real time, making the operation more efficient and beneficial to their properties
• Load management software is a very scalable solution that allows buildings to expand their EV charger capacity while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

References

• Multifamily EV Charging
• The Lofts at Beacon Future-Proofed their Building & Business with a Scalable EV Charging System
• Multifamily Case Study: Condo adds 21 EV charging stations and avoids $24K in electrical upgrades

Recap:

Average charging cost: $0.39/kWh
Charging type: Public or Private
Problem addressed: Access, Equipment
Solution type: Technology

The post SWTCH Energy enhances EV charging access through charge management at multi-family properties appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Convenience is key for EV charging. In dense urban areas where installing home chargers is impossible or cost-prohibitive, drivers need a different option. Curbside charging close to residential and commercial areas is the best solution – the cost is shared among community members, and residents can ideally walk five minutes or less to charge their cars. Location is also a key element: data-driven location scouting can find underserved community areas where public chargers are most needed and appreciated. How can cities install public charging that is accessible and affordable for all residents?

Objectives and solutions

Green Edge Tech, a green technology company based in Pittsburgh, PA, assists municipalities with installing and operating accessible and convenient public charging. The company’s pilot project in Swissvale (a borough of Pittsburgh) resulted in five currently active public chargers. The decision to install chargers in this location was informed by equity-minded location scouting, which aims to put chargers in areas with lower-income residents who are less likely to have access to home charging. Green Edge Tech’s location scouting has been supported by students at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy. Through two capstone projects, students built a mapping system with layers for average household income, points of interest such as stores and places of worship, and the percentage of the population that is non-white. The students used this demographic data to create Equity Scores, which can be customized to give certain demographic factors a higher priority over others and represent zones within a five-minute walking distance. Students also worked on an additional capstone project to calculate equitable cost structures for charging while accounting for the cost of ownership and demand costs from utilities.

As a technology-agnostic company, Green Edge Tech analyzed several manufacturers and selected 6.2kW Level 2 chargers for the Swissvale site. The local electric utility’s, pricing structure changes dramatically based on charging demand, so determining the price of charging has been challenging. The municipality owns the charging equipment, and after the company’s lengthy 10-year contract with their local utility, the city will own the entire system. The city received the chargers for free, with some funding from Driving PA Forward, a grant and rebate program designed to improve air quality. Green Edge Tech hopes to incorporate equitable location scouting into more partnerships with municipalities in the future.

Elements for Success

• Location scouting is critical for determining the most useful and practical charging area, using demographic information and points of interest.
• Grassroots community engagement ensures that chargers are desired and placed in approved locations so that their impact is maximized.
• Data collection and analysis help to determine the current impact of the project and lessons for future installations.

References

• Green Edge Tech
• Green Edge Tech / CMU Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy Capstone Presentation  

Recap:

Average charging cost: $1 to start, $0.35/kWh after
Charging type: Public
Problem addressed: Access
Solution type: Technology

The post Green Edge Tech assists with installing and operating accessible public charging in Pittsburgh appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Electric vehicles can lower transportation costs and save consumers money. Still, if you live in multifamily housing and don’t have access to home charging, these benefits may be diminished by the higher cost of using public chargers. How can these EV drivers access convenient and low-cost charging options?

Objectives and solutions

The State of Vermont developed a program to subsidize charging at multifamily housing across the state. Charge Vermont is funded by the state and administered by Vermont’s largest electric utility. Essentially, this program provides free (or almost free) installation of Level 1 and Level 2 chargers in multifamily housing. It offers up to 90% of the total project cost for market-rate housing installations and up to 95% of the total project cost for projects with a minimum of 50% affordable housing units. Federal, state, and utility incentives can all be used as a match. The program was initially funded by state appropriations but is now funded by EV registration fees.

Vermont is considered the most rural state in the U.S., with almost 65% of its population living in rural areas. About 23% of Vermont’s housing is multifamily, and because Vermont is so rural, multifamily housing, including manufactured home parks, isn’t necessarily located in cities. Many Vermonters living in multifamily housing still have long commutes. Beginning in 2022, the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development recognized a need for affordable and convenient home charging access for drivers living in multifamily housing. It developed a $1 million pilot to test how EV charging solutions could work for multi-unit property owners and residents. The pilot used grant recipient interviews, cost assessments, station use reporting and analysis, and case studies to develop best practices. The pilot has increased EV charging access to residents in 28 multifamily properties, with a total of 78 charging ports contracted. More recently, the VT Legislature passed a bill appropriating $7 million for the Charge VT program based on the learnings of the pilot. 

One program requirement is to ensure that charging is distributed throughout the state, so no county can receive more than 10% of the available funding. Currently, counties with more urban areas are fully subscribed, but funding is still available in counties with more rural areas. Property managers interested in participating can fill out a simple online application form and participate in a pre-screening call. Charging equipment installers can be selected by the property manager or from a list of installation partners provided through the program. The equipment must be maintained for at least five years and must be networked equipment if the chargers are available to the general public. Equipment does not have to be networked if charging is restricted to residents only, which may keep costs lower for home charging.  

Another unique and important feature of the program is that, through a partnership with Green Mountain Power, the state’s largest electric utility and program administrator, building owners can access a significant portion of the funding incentives before they start work. This is critical for smaller property owners who don’t have easy access to capital and can make it financially feasible for them to move forward with charging projects. 

In 2024, the State Legislature passed a bill imposing additional registration fees on EVs. Unlike most states that use EV fees for road maintenance, Vermont is using these fees to fund this program, thus expanding access to charging for residents of multifamily housing. 

Elements for Success

• Incentives can be stacked with utility programs, which are widely available in other states, and federal tax credits, making charger installations inexpensive or free.
• The program leverages a utility partnership to offer the bulk of the incentive before construction begins, covering the upfront investment that often deters property managers from installing EV chargers.

References

• Charge Vermont EV Chargers for Multi-unit Residences
• Multi-unit EV Charging Incentive Program
• Affordable Homes with Equitable Access to Transportation Options

Recap

Charger type: Level 1 or Level 2
Public or private
Problem addressed: Access, cost
Solution type: Policy

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