This EVgo Freedom Station at Whole Foods Fremont is the busiest location in the EVgo network.

Whole Foods Markets customers want to reduce their carbon footprint and they are taking advantage of electric vehicle (EV) fast charging at NRG EVgo chargers in the stores’ parking lots to ensure they get the emission-free miles they need while they shop.

A detailed analysis of 10 EVgo Freedom Station^® sites at Whole Foods Market locations in the Bay Area shows a 191% increase in EV charging over the last year. EV drivers also show a significant preference for DC fast charging, 12 to 1 when comparing the number of charging sessions to the Level 2 charging also available at those locations.  In September 2015 alone there were nearly 6,900 DC fast charge sessions at those stations.

The Whole Foods Market Fremont location is the busiest DC fast charger in the national EVgo Network. In September of this year alone it provided 1,452 DC fast charge sessions. On average that amounts to 45 sessions a day at that Freedom Station^® location. Most EV drivers can get a nearly full charge in less than 30 minutes with DC fast charging meaning that station is in use dependably and almost continuously! 

“This kind of explosive growth shows that the EVgo strategy of putting the highest quality fast chargers in the highest demand locations is setting the standard for electric vehicle charging,” said Arun Banskota, President of EVgo.

There are now a total of 13 Bay Area Whole Foods Market EVgo Freedom Station^® locations which offer both the CHAdeMO and CCS DC charging standards as well as Level 2 charging. Since they began operation they have had a dramatic impact on the environment.

• 8,770,895 miles driven on electric vehicles powered at these stations

• 360,942 gallons of gasoline usage avoided

• 3,945,274 lbs. of CO₂ equivalent emissions avoided–That is nearly 2,000 tons! 

“We brought in EVgo chargers because our customers care deeply for the planet and demand the cutting edge in environmental technology,” said Tristam Coffin, energy and environment coordinator for Whole Foods Market Northern California. “It’s gratifying to see that the stations are being used. It’s good for us, good for the planet, and great that our customers can get a fast charge and be on their way.”

In Redwood City, at the Whole Foods Market Freedom Station^® the number of fast charge sessions jumped from 21 in March to 393 in September which is an increase of 1700%. “A dramatic increase like this shows not only the growth in the popularity of the network but a rapid embrace of fast charging by the EV driving community in Redwood City,” said Terry O’Day EVgo Vice President for the West Region. “California is the national leader in EV use and EVgo is excited to be the national leader in public DC fast charging.  

About EVgo

EVgo ^SM leads America’s electric vehicle revolution.  Our mission: Build the nation’s largest EV charging network while improving the planet and boosting the economy.  At home, work, and on the road, we put the right chargers in the right places. Together we unite the EV movement for all, making it unstoppable.  Service plans offered by EVgo can provide EV owners a home or workplace charger and use of EVgo’s Freedom Station^® sites and other public charging stations. EVgo provides access to hundreds of public charging sites across 26 cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento.  To find out more, or to join the EVgo network, visit www.nrgevgo.com. Connect with EVgo on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @nrgevgo.

NRG EVgo

NRG EVgo

EVgo SM leads America’s electric vehicle revolution. Our mission: Build the nation’s largest EV charging network while improving the planet and boosting the economy. At home, work, and on the road, we put the right chargers in the right places. Together we unite the EV movement for all, making it unstoppable. Service plans offered by EVgo can provide EV owners a home or workplace charger and use of EVgo’s Freedom Station® sites and other public charging stations. EVgo provides access to hundreds of public charging sites across 26 cities including Atlanta, Chicago and the greater Washington D.C. area plus many in California, and Texas. To find out more, or to join the EVgo network, visit www.nrgevgo.com. Connect with EVgo on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @nrgevgo

More from NRG EVgo