Volkswagen Announces Expansion of Fast-Charging Network

Electrify America will partner with an additional 100-plus retailers and convenience stores to add DC fast charging stations.

April 30, 2018

RESTON, Va. – Electrify America (EA) has announced new partnerships with retailers to bring additional DC fast-charging stations across the United States, Forbes reports. This follows last week’s news that EA would put in chargers at more than 100 Walmart stores by the middle of 2019.

The new partnership includes Brixmor Property Group, DDR Corporation, Kimco Realty and Target, as well as Alltown Markets, Casey’s General Stores and Sheetz. “These partnerships allow for more convenient charging opportunities for EV drivers,” said Mark McNabb, Electrify America president and CEO.

The charging systems will have ranges from 50 kilowatts to 350 kilowatts. These fast chargers will be able to add hundreds of miles of range per charging hour. ChargePoint estimates there are around 48,000 public charging stations scattered across the United States. EA will add 2,000 DC fast chargers at just over 480 locations.

Electric chargers offer retailers a unique opportunity. A 2017 study found that 54% of EV owners shopped while waiting as their car charged, with 34% specifically choosing a place to charged that had shopping available, and generally spent more than the average customer. “They are waiting a little longer and because of the price of most pure EVs, they are higher income people,” said Gil Tal with the University of California Davis, and one of the study’s authors.

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