American electric vehicle fast-charging provider EVgo has just introduced a new prefabrication model to accelerate infrastructure development at eligible locations. According to the press release, this visionary approach can cut construction costs and installation time without compromising customer experience.
EVgo’s innovative prefabrication approach
EVgo claims that its new charging station development strategy can significantly reduce installation time by 50%.
Apart from that, it can also enable the company to cut construction-related costs by 15% on average.
More impressively, this new prefabrication model is “scalable,” starting with only six individual charging points. It essentially hints at the potential minimum chargers at the company’s future charging stations.
Other benefits
EVgo further indicated that the prefabrication approach could also enhance customer charging experience owing to the equipment’s improved reliability.
For context, EVgo aims to build all the necessary equipment in a “controlled environment,” enabling it to pre-commission at the fabrication facility. These equipment include power cabinets and dispensers, among others.
EVgo will wrap the skid frame with synthetic turf once the installation is completed, InsideEVs noted. It will offer a cushion layer to aid in protecting charging connectors that drivers may drop.
“There are roughly 30,000 fast chargers in the US today, and by 2030, industry analysts estimate we’ll need more than 300,000.
Innovations like this prefabrication model are critical to scale EVgo’s network and build the infrastructure needed to meet the growing demand for public charging. Prefabricated stations can not only help us save time and cut costs but also elevate the customer experience by providing popular features drivers want.”
EVgo COO Dennis Kish
In addition, EVgo also ensured that the prefabricated charging stations can support innovative extra features such as the following:
- Wi-Fi infrastructure for cellular connectivity improvement
- lighting
- security cameras
- canopies to provide shade on sunny days and protect drivers from inclement weather
Construction schedule
EVgo announced plans to launch its first prefabricated DC fast charging station in Texas, with construction starting on November 2023.
However, it noted that the public launch may take longer, which is expected in February 2024.
In addition, its prefabrication projects are already underway in numerous US states, including Florida, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Texas.
EVgo’s efforts to accelerate the expansion of its charging network can significantly contribute to boosting US fast chargers to over 300,000 units by 2030, as industry experts estimated. Notably, the company aims to boost its prefabricated charging stations to more sites throughout 2024.
