Largest Open Fast Charging Network
Electrify America, the EV charging company founded by Volkswagen Group in the wake of the diesel scandal, has had its share of ups and downs. Its high-speed Level 3 fast chargers are some of the highest performers out there, able to charge up most electric cars to near-full in less than half an hour. But the company’s chargers have also been criticized for somewhat spotty reliability – making them less convenient than they should be.
Still, with high-speed charging stations in 47 states and the District of Columbia, Electrify America remains the largest openly-available DC fast charging network in the U.S., at least until the Tesla Supercharger network starts to open up to vehicles from other manufacturers later in 2024 and into 2025.
Indoor High Speed Charging
The company is continuing to invest significant dollars in building out a nationwide network of ultra-fast chargers to support easily-accessible charging for EV drivers on road trips. The company’s new flagship charging station, in San Francisco, is a showcase for what’s possible with EV charging – and is the first Electrify America station that’s actually indoors.
Yes, you read that right, Electrify America’s latest innovation is indoor charging stations, which provide shelter from the elements while customers charge their vehicles, and can also offer a higher level of comfort and amenities than outdoor facilities.
Lounge While You Charge
Located two blocks from San Francisco’s iconic Bay Bridge at 928 Harrison St. in San Francisco, the new Electrify America station is easily accessible by EV drivers visiting the city’s South Market neighborhood, and has 20 hyper-fast DC fast chargers which can charge at speeds up to 350 kW – the fastest currently available in the U.S. And while waiting for their vehicles to charge, drivers can take advantage of comfortable indoor lounge areas with food and beverages, high-speed wi-fi, and restrooms.
Built in what looks like a converted warehouse building with bright lighting and a clean parking area, the new flagship charging station showcases the advantages of going electric. Because EVs don’t produce exhaust emissions, recharging – or “refueling,” if you want to call it that – can happen indoors, in a more comfortable environment, and the indoor lounge areas can be accessed without having to walk through the rain, cold, or extreme heat.
In addition to the 20 hyper-fast chargers – which Electrify America says are balanced to provide their 350-kW max charging speed even when all are occupied – the new station also features around-the-clock monitoring and security, providing access to EV drivers around the clock, and the restrooms even have baby changing stations.
The Charging Station of the Future
The San Francisco station is the first of what Electrify America calls its “charging station of the future, today,” which are designed around comfortable indoor spaces that enhance the EV driving experience. Insights from its customers as well as trend research and consultants contributed to the design of the space.
“We're committed to making EVs accessible to all, particularly in dense urban areas like San Francisco,” said Robert Barrosa, president and CEO of Electrify America. “Our expertise in building over 250 stations in California and more than 900 in North America uniquely positions us to bring high-quality charging infrastructure directly into communities where people live and work and support EV adoption across the state.”
While this is the first indoor facility, Electrify America already has a number of outdoor flagship charging stations with 10 or more ultra-high-speed chargers; two such facilities are in Baker, CA and Santa Clara, CA. Future flagship stations with large numbers of high-speed chargers are planned nationwide, using both indoor and outdoor concepts, and focused on high-traffic urban areas.
