Commercial, Distributed Generation  -  October 7, 2019

SoNo Collection in Conn. to premiere fast-charging EV network

The SoNo Collection, a 700,000 sq ft upscale retail center currently being built in Norwalk, Conn. by Brookfield Properties, will be the first to feature free public access to fast-charge EV stations from Volta. The retail center will offer a total of 12 chargers, including a mix of these Level 3 fast-chargers along with Volta's Level 2 chargers.

Brookfield Properties plans to roll the Volta fast charger network out to their properties nationwide, according to Scott Mercer, Volta’s founder and CEO, in an exclusive interview with Smart Energy Decisions. Volta will leverage a combination of data modeling and venue customer behavior to determine the optimal ratio of Level 2 and DC fast-charging stations for each location, which will be selected based on usage and demand. 

Volta plans to install 150 stations at other busy retail locations with strategic real estate partners nationwide over the next 12 months. The new fast-charging stations will range in power from 50 kW to 100 kW and be controlled through Volta’s mobile app. Drivers will be able to get their first 30 minutes of charging at the public-access stations for free, with the option to pay to continue their session.

“Volta’s free DC fast charging program represents a shift in the industry that no other publicly available charging brand can match,” Mercer said in a statement. “For the first time, electric car drivers will be able to experience the satisfaction of quick and free charging at places where they already spend their time. Imagine getting the equivalent of seven gallons of gas free every time you visit your local shopping center. Our charger network is designed to intelligently expand the critical infrastructure needed for electric vehicle adoption, while inspiring the public to ditch gas and go electric.”

Following the installation of its pilot system in Norwalk, Volta plans to focus on major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

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