Chevron, San Ramon, California, is installing electric vehicle (EV) chargers at no cost from FreeWire Technologies Accelerate Program that allows convenience stores to offer and collect payments from ultrafast EV charging amenities, while FreeWire owns and operates the equipment.
FreeWire fully manages the upfront installation, site design and permitting process along with ongoing maintenance and electricity costs. Participating convenience stores receive a revenue share from charging sessions and are protected by a guaranteed minimum payment leasing parking spots, turning lot space into a revenue stream and customer amenity.
Convenience stores have control over the charger's image and branding.
Newark, California-based FreeWire’s Boost Charger features a 24-inch screen, allowing for creative promotions and direct customer engagement at the point of charge. The Accelerate Program allows businesses to tap into valuable data on charger usage and customer behavior.
The program allows the flexibility for retailers to fully own the charging station after five years, which offers the potential for greater control and profitability as the adoption of electric vehicles continues to rise, according to the company.
FreeWire offers a range of flexible deployment options for retailers seeking to host ultrafast charging, from complete ownership to participation in the Accelerate Program, tailored to meet each site’s requirements and accelerate the installation of charging infrastructure.
By the year 2030, projections suggest that the United States will experience a surge in EV adoption, with more than 26 million EVs on the road, according to FreeWire. The Accelerate Program will increase EV charging infrastructure deployment by offering a zero-risk option for charging hosts, according to the company.
FreeWire’s previous deployment model allowed retailers to purchase the charger and retain charging revenue. While FreeWire’s solution is typically faster and less costly to deploy than traditional solutions, the addition of the Accelerate Program gives convenience stores the chance to deploy fast charging at no cost, benefit if the site is successful and have the option to buy the chargers in later years.
“The Accelerate Program demonstrates our conviction in the improving economics of EV charging,” said Arcady Sosinov, founder and chief commercial officer at FreeWire. “We are investing our capital to promote our customers’ businesses, enabling them to market an EV offering under their brand with zero upfront costs. This is an unparalleled opportunity for businesses to leverage the growing need for this amenity. At FreeWire, we envision a future where EV adoption is uninhibited by available charging infrastructure, and the Accelerate Program is a crucial step towards making that vision a reality.”
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