Installation of the Month (March 2021): The Elysian

EVCS continues to put charging stations in the ground at a record-setting pace, further proving that the notion of responsible mobility is gaining momentum with SoCal motorists. We’re incredibly proud of the work we’ve been able to do over the past couple years, which has simultaneously benefitted countless individuals (with cheaper modes of transport), businesses (with new revenue models), and the environment (with cleaner air quality). Moreover, many of our newer sites are residential buildings, making EV ownership more of a practical reality for tens of thousands of Californians who have otherwise been apprehensive about cutting the cord with ICE vehicles.

As such, our featured site for March is The Elysian apartment building, a mid-century architectural marvel located in LA’s scenic Victoria Heights neighborhood at 1115 W. Sunset Blvd. See it here:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Elysian/@34.067081,-118.249001,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x3bc0c1003adbe337!8m2!3d34.067081!4d-118.249001

The steel, glass and concrete edifice was originally designed in the early 1960’s by globally renowned architect William Pereira (also famous for the TransAmerica Building in San Francisco), and was deemed an “essential structure” at the time by LA city planners. By 1973, the eight-story tower was completed, and for another 20 years faithfully served as the Metropolitan Water District Headquarters. In 2011, the property was purchased by Linear City Development and converted into the 96 luxuriously appointed residential units we see today. What makes The Elysian extra special is not just its historic pedigree, but its sweeping views thanks to a prime perch overlooking Sunset Boulevard and its close proximity to key points of interest like Chinatown, Echo Park and the 101/110 interchange. See more about the property here:

http://theelysian.la/

We’ve long recognized that one of the greatest barriers to wider EV expansion in the marketplace is the lack of available charging options at residential complexes. This is especially poignant considering a 2019 survey by The Drive that found more than half of all EV drivers prefer to charge up at home. So, when Linear City entrusted us to source and install chargers at this iconic property, we were both thrilled and humbled at the chance to broaden our footprint in an area that has already been vocal in demanding environmentally friendly lifestyle solutions. Our final installation included 46 Blink Level II stations, which are available to both residents and the public. We then increased the project’s financial viability by covering all of Blink’s networking fees, leaving the site host with only the comparatively minor cost of the electricity. We also installed three BTC DC fast charging stations specifically for public consumption.

Linear City Operations VP Alexandra Leekley is on record stating that she and her team are eager to offer free EV charging as a standard amenity for all residents, just like use of the fitness center, yoga deck or common area Wi-Fi. This is a powerful gauntlet being thrown at the feet of residential real estate developers across the Southland. Moreover, as we launch our own subscription plan for EV drivers, we see the public component as equally important, luring Uber, Lyft, delivery and rental car drivers who need a place to charge that’s convenient to downtown. The subscription service will be easy to use and offers tremendous value, likely reducing the average motorist’s fuel bill by as much as 90% — from about $500 per month to $50.

We want to thank The Elysian for being a trailblazer in the fight for a cleaner, greener, more sustainable future by helping to make EV ownership a practical reality for all its residents, and we sincerely hope that this property can exemplify the fact that living (and driving) responsibly starts at home.

‍

Back

6 Reasons Why Fast Charging is Critical

EVCS Level 3 chargers are capable of charging an EV battery to 80% capacity within 20 minutes on most vehicles. They are sleek, efficient, convenient, work with any EV, can function in myriad conditions, and are connected by a powerful network with an easy-to-use interface. By all measures, Level 3 charging – or fast charging – is not only an important link in the electric mobility chain as society transitions away from fossil fuels but a critical one to the goal of mass EV adoption.

Catering to Niche Markets

EV drivers are as unique as the cars they own. All have special reasons why electric mobility is the sensible choice for them. In that vein, we recognize that building a massive new EV network is not a one-size-fits all strategy, but one that takes into account the needs of niche groups across the country. Below is just a smattering of the smaller market subsets we have in mind as we aim to make the transition to electric feel more personal and individualistic based on things like interests, jobs, and locale.

How the Ukrainian Crisis Could Affect the EV Market

As the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, concerns over how a prolonged incursion may affect global markets has become a frequent topic of discussion, even as major world powers issue a raft of sanctions against Russia in an effort to end the conflict sooner. There are certain to be ramifications for the EV industry specifically as a consequence of the dispute, some of which we’re already starting to see, although their duration and severity are still in question. Here are some of the most prominent.

How EVCS is Helping Change America’s EV Charging Experience

As most of us know, Congress recently approved $7.5 billion in spending for new EV charging installations as part of the larger infrastructure bill, which we expect will help facilitate a speedier transition away from fossil fuels. Even with EV sales increasing in recent years, reports suggest that 25 percent of all carbon emissions still come from the tailpipe, so anything the government can do to kick things up a notch is surely welcome. However, even with such a sizable investment, many challenges still exist that network operators like EVCS will have to help overcome. In a recent article on TheVerge.com, several prescient examples were cited of core areas to focus on if we want to make mass EV adoption a reality. Below are a few such areas and how EVCS is addressing them.

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.