Electrify America Opens Its First Indoor Charging Station

Last month, frost and extreme weather hit several regions across the United States and left EV owners stranded at charging stations covered in snow and not working due to the sub-zero temperatures. Many spent hours in the cold waiting for their turn to plug their cars in and get the necessary electricity to drive back home or to work.

Electrify America is trying to prevent such situations by opening its first indoor charging station. The facility will start operating on February 9 at 928 Harrison Street in San Francisco, two blocks away from the Bay Bridge, and will be trying to meet the growing demand for charging options for EV drivers.

It includes 20 next-generation hyper-fast chargers with a charging power of up to 350 kW. Two temperature-controlled lounge areas can host customers who will have the chance to chill out while waiting for their cars to charge. They can purchase food and beverages and benefit from high-speed Wi-Fi and the presence of restrooms while their batteries get ready for a new trip.

Electrify America's first indoor charging station is open round the clock and offers drivers 24/7 monitoring and security so they can safely relax while waiting.

A subsidiary of Volkswagen Group, established in late 2016 by the German automaker, Electrify America has helped the brand offset emissions following Dieselgate. Volkswagen invested $2 billion to set up the charging business, currently the largest in the US.

The network currently offers over 250 charging stations in California and more than 900 in North America. Back in 2022, Electrify America introduced "The Charging Station of the Future, Today" concept, providing comfortable spaces next to charging options.

The company operating the largest open DC fast charging network in the US is planning to build larger stations. They are already operating outdoor centers in Baker and Santa Clara, California, that have ten or more chargers.

Electrify America is currently operating in 47 states and the District of Columbia and is planning to expand its network in order to convince potential EV buyers that they have every reason to stop worrying about not having the possibility to charge their vehicles.

And other companies are doing the same. For instance, Tesla is building a charging station with a drive-in restaurant and movie theatre on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles. Mercedes-Benz is already operating an outdoor station with an indoor lounge at its headquarters near Atlanta.

Despite claims that the EV market is slowing down and carmakers are adjusting production to demand, experts estimate that the electric vehicle purchase rate will continue to grow.

Bloomberg NEF anticipates that 16.7 million new EVs will be marketed worldwide through 2024, as potential customers are encouraged by the growing number of charging stations, the improving battery technology, and better range for lower prices.