NRG eVgo, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc., will roll out the EZ-Charge (SM) platform that will enable drivers of EVs to access multiple EV charging networks with a single all-access card like a multiple-use credit card for retailers.
“For too long, EV drivers have been limited to only the chargers that were in their network meaning they might drive past a number of charging stations in other company’s networks before they could get to one they could use with their current provider,” said David Crane, President and CEO of NRG Energy. “The EZ-Charge platform takes a critical step to modernize EV charging, making it more convenient and more accessible than ever for EV drivers.”
The EZ-Charge card will support all eVgo public charging plans and enable EV drivers to enroll in participating partner network plans either through their charging company or directly with eVgo. eVgo expects to begin distributing EZ-Charge cards this summer to EV drivers with participating plans in San Francisco, San Diego, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston, Sacramento, Seattle, Portland, Ore., Nashville, Phoenix and Washington, D.C.
While the EZ-Charge platform will be available to drivers and manufacturers of all EVs, the initial roll out will be part of Nissan’s expansion of its ‘No Charge to Charge’ program, the first industry promotion to utilize the EZ-Charge all-access card. Through ‘No Charge to Charge,’ Nissan provides two years of no-cost public charging with the purchase or lease of a new Nissan LEAF. ‘No Charge to Charge’ launches in the first 10 EZ-Charge markets on July 1, 2014, with Nissan adding 15 additional markets to the promotion by mid-2015.
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| Nissan's No Charge to Charge. (Photo Credit: NRG eVgo / Nissan) |
“By making charging more accessible and convenient, we hope to expand electric vehicle ownership and make it easy for EV drivers to confidently enjoy the benefits of driving electric,” said Arun Banskota, President of NRG eVgo. “Packaging the EZ-Charge card with ‘No Charge to Charge’ is an example of how we’re working with industry partners to deliver innovative solutions for the industry and consumers.”
The EZ-Charge platform is available for all automakers to package with their electric car models on a promotional or optional basis, it also offers a full range of services to provide EV drivers with good experience.
“Partnering with auto makers, real estate charging station hosts, and other charging network providers to build a national charging framework utilizing a single EZ-Charge all-access card reinforces our commitment to deliver an easy and seamless charging experience for EV drivers,” said Banskota.