Electric-vehicle charging network EVgo Inc. has formed a partnership with Amazon to support an Alexa-enabled EV charging experience. This collaboration will allow drivers to ask Alexa to help them find nearby EV charging stations, as well as initiate and pay for the charging sessions.
The companies plan to roll out the in-vehicle functionality to Alexa-enabled vehicles as well as automotive accessories like Echo Auto later this year.
“We want Alexa to be useful for customers in their everyday lives, and EV charging is a great example of a task that can be simplified and made more convenient through the power of AI,” said Anes Hodžić, vice president of Amazon Smart Vehicles, Seattle. “By partnering with EVgo, we’re bringing Alexa’s AI and multi-modal experiences to improve the EV charging experience for drivers and streamline the process of locating, initiating and paying for a charging session.”
Amazon designed the Alexa-enabled EV charging experience to leverage PlugShare, an EV community and a part of the EVgo Inc. family, as well as EVgo Inside. Integrated with the Alexa app, the PlugShare API will allow customers to find nearby charging stations, access its comprehensive public EV charging map and ultimately take advantage of a “seamless” charging experience. With EVgo Inside integration, customers can also register a new EVgo account, find EVgo charging stations, initiate a charging session and complete payment from within their Alexa app. Soon, customers will also be able to view real-time charger availability and view session and billing information.
“From Autocharge+ to charging with Alexa, EVgo is committed to continuing to raise the bar for convenience of EV ownership for our customers,” said Cathy Zoi, CEO at EVgo. Los Angeles.
Through this partnership, Amazon customers can access more 150,000 U.S. public charging stations listed on PlugShare, the companies said.
Voice-initiated charging and payment builds on EVgo’s commitment to enhancing the EV driver experience, with the company’s recent launch of Autocharge+, allowing drivers to initiate a charging session in seconds by simply plugging in.
In December, EVgo also launched a new EV charging discount program for Lyft rideshare drivers.
EVgo’s owned and operated charging network features more than 850 fast charging locations serving more than 60 metropolitan areas across more than 30 states and continues to add more DC fast-charging locations through EVgo eXtend, its white-label service offering. EVgo is accelerating transportation electrification through partnerships with automakers, fleet and rideshare operators, retail hosts such as gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores and shopping centers.
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