Electrify America Unveils New EV Charger Design, Lounge Waiting Areas

Photo: Electrify America (via The Verge)

Volkswagen subsidiary Electrify America is set to build a more welcoming set of charging stations, as detailed in a new announcement from the company.

Electrify America announced plans to build “human-centered” charging stations that will include solar panel coverings and a lounge waiting area, according to The Verge.

In addition, the announcement included plans for a redesigned charger, which it hopes to use to improve the customer’s experience.

Electrify America President and CEO Giovanni Palazzo hopes the chargers will establish “a more inviting transition to an electric vehicle lifestyle from traditional gas stations.”

In a statement, Palazzo said, “These new designs will help elevate the charging experience for our customers, building on the foundation of our ultra-fast and reliable coast-to-coast network.”

The stations will include multiple chargers and will be built throughout 2022 and into 2023 in California cities including Santa Barbara, San Francisco, San Diego and Beverly Hills, along with a few New York City locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

The company’s Canadian branch also announced a partnership with Lucid Motors today, offering pre-order customers two years of free fast-charging at its stations across the country.

In December, Electrify America also turned 140 charging stations into virtual power plants, allowing them to provide extra power to the electrical grid during peak consumption hours.