Installation of the Month (February 2022): Sierra Commons Shopping Plaza

The next stage in the evolution of EV charging will be a network operator’s ability to target consumers with advertising and media content pertinent to their demographic. Our recent partnership with minority-owned iKahan Media has afforded us just that opportunity, allowing for the expansion and creation of “a digital billboard network combining EVCS chargers with state-of-the-art LED screens,” as reported last year in a release on PR Newswire. (You can read that entire piece here) Such an initiative is intended to improve the economics of public charging by generating an additional revenue stream for both us and site hosts, providing advertisers with a select new platform for reaching consumers, and increasing value for EV drivers who want to see content that’s relevant to them.

With that, we’re proud to announce our featured site for February 2022: a brand-new, redesigned charger complete with iKahan digital billboards at the Sierra Commons Shopping Center in the city of Palmdale north of Los Angeles. The address is 39605 10th Street West, which can be found here at this link.

The lot is conveniently located just off the Antelope Valley Freeway, a major north-south corridor through Palmdale, in one of the city’s most popular shopping districts. Within walking distance, drivers will find the Palmdale Marketplace and Antelope Valley shopping malls; an Embassy Suites hotel; retail stores like Target, Best Buy and Bed Bath & Beyond; and countless eateries like Coffee Bean, Chili’s, Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Applebee’s. The area is a paradise for shoppers, which somehow feels appropriate as our first installation to feature targeted advertising content on a big, bold screen.

The charger eschews our old boxy design for a thinner, sleeker new look to accommodate the large auto-facing LCD monitor. The bright 55-inch display is engineered for outdoor usage and boasts a crisp 1920 x 1080 resolution, delivering high-def content that can be targeted hyper-locally to any segment of the market.

Our long-term goals here are three-fold. First, we’re facilitating the transition to this newly designed charger across more of our network. We’re already working to revitalize the EVCS owned original West Coast Electric Highway while simultaneously ramping up the installation of new chargers in highly trafficked areas where such advertising will have the greatest impact. Second, we’re expanding the number of reputable brands that are featuring content on our screens, with mega-brands like LA Fitness leading the charge. Third, we’re using this exciting new revenue stream as a selling point for site owners who may still be skeptical about installing chargers on their properties. For many, this offers the final nudge they need to say yes. Like we always say, “earn green by going green!”

To be certain, we’re not the only ones trumpeting the benefits of merging charging infrastructure with digital advertising. In an article titled “11 Reasons Why EV Charging and Digital Advertising is SMART Business for Shopping Centers and Parking Operators,” online publisher Ensto cited 800 studies by Nielsen that showed every dollar spent on digital advertising achieved a return on investment of three dollars. Moreover, the digital ad market was valued at 19.6 billion dollars in 2016, but based on current market trends, is projected to reach 32.8 billion by 2023. Coupled with what is certain to be explosive growth of EV charging this decade, we believe the untapped opportunities are myriad, and we plan on not only being there as things evolve, but leading the way. Our site at Sierra Commons is just the first small step of many.

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Spectrum News: SoCal Company Looks to Meet Growing Need for EV Charging Stations

Recently, our CEO and co-founder, Gustavo Occhiuzzo, was featured in a Spectrum News 1 segment titled “Inside the Issues” with Alex Cohen. He was able to not only convey the challenges we face as we work toward a more electric future, but also the strides EVCS has already made in addressing those challenges as well as some of our most significant achievements. Examples include our deal with LADOT to install DC fast chargers at 57 city-owned lots, our doubling of non-Tesla chargers in LA since last year alone, and the fact that EVCS has become one of the largest and fastest growing installers of EV charging stations on the West Coast in less than three years. See the interview clip and accompanying article below to learn more.

Recap of “Today, Explained” Podcast: It’s Electric!

Recently, we listened to Vox’s Umair Irfan discuss on his Today, Explained podcast how Norway has been trailblazing in the world of electric mobility and what strides the US can make to follow suit. We not only found the episode a fascinating exploration of how our Scandinavian friends serve as both innovators and motivators, but it elucidated ways in which EVCS can and has been working toward similar goals within the US. Below are some of the key takeaways from the podcast as well as how it relates to what we’re doing here and now.

EVCS Fast Charging Network to Use 100% Renewable Energy (Newsire)

One of the most common criticisms foisted on the electric mobility industry is that EVs are not technically carbon neutral since the electricity needed to power them is generated through fossil fuels, including coal and natural gas. This argument is not without merit and presents those of us in the EV infrastructure sector with yet another lofty goal – true carbon neutrality through electrical grids powered by renewable energy sources like wind and solar. And our most recent press release discusses how we at EVCS are doing just that.

EVCS Secures Credit Facility with Macquarie Group (Newswire)

We recently employed PR firm Firecracker to help us get the word out about all of the wonderful things EVCS is doing to make an all-electric future a reality. One major step toward this goal was our securing a credit facility that would allow for accelerated expansion of EV infrastructure, giving us confidence that the financial support required would be available when we needed it. Our PR team then went to work, drafting the following press release that outlines the particulars of this momentous achievement:

Installation of the Month (April 2021): Hilton Hotel & Plaza San Gabriel

Hilton is one of the most recognizable and respected organizations in the world. They own 18 different brands and more than 6,400 properties in 119 countries. Since 1925, they’ve been a model of the hospitality industry – synonymous with customer relations, integrity and innovation, which extends into areas like sustainability and the environment. Their website’s “Corporate Responsibility” page cites a commitment to fighting climate change, stating: “We seek to operate and grow sustainably, reducing our consumption of natural resources… We are proud to have set carbon reduction targets aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement.” And they continue to back up this commitment, including recently asking us to install EV charging banks at one of their key Los Angeles locations.