Electrify America & EVgo Announce Agreement Giving EV Drivers Access to Each Company's Charging Network

author: Eric Walz   

As the number of electric vehicles on the road increases, companies are building EV charging infrastructure so drivers have convenient places a place to charge without the worry of running out of juice.

Today, two of the biggest EV charging operators in the U.S. Electrify America LLC and EVgo announced they are joining forces. The two companies announced a new interoperability agreement that allows drivers to charge their vehicles on both EVgo and Electrify America public chargers without additional fees, while using their existing accounts for a seamless experience.

Drivers will be able to access public chargers on either network without the hassle of having to register a new account or use multiple payment methods, which makes things a bit easier for drivers. 

The new agreement will connect more than 3,000 DC fast chargers at more than 1,000 stations from EVgo and Electrify America, giving EV drivers more convenient charging options.

"As the demand for EVs continues to increase and create the need for more EV charging stations, we understand the importance of making access to public chargers as easy as possible for current and future EV drivers," said Giovanni Palazzo, president and CEO of Electrify America. "Connecting our two networks helps ensure EV drivers have the freedom to travel on their terms without concerns of where to charge their EV along the way."

Virginia-based Electrify America LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Group of America, is investing $2 billion over 10 years in Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure, education and access in the U.S. By Dec 2021, the company expects to install or have under development approximately 800 total charging station sites with 3,500 chargers in 29 metro areas across 45 states, including two cross-country routes.  

EVgo, founded in 2010, operates the nation's largest fast charging public network for electric vehicles. With more than 1,200 DC fast chargers across more than 750 locations in 66 metropolitan markets in 34 states. Evgo's nationwide network of fast chargers are compatible with all fast charge-capable EV models and powered by 100% renewable energy.

"EVgo is committed to cross-industry collaboration to make fast charging for EV drivers as convenient as going to an ATM," said Cathy Zoi, CEO of EVgo. 

Earlier this year, Electrify America announced a similar agreement with ChargePoint. EVgo has also announced bilateral interoperability agreements with ChargePoint. While Chargepoint has its own "roaming partnership" in place with San Francisco-based Greenlots. 

Electrify America also has an agreement in place with Porsche to provide free EV charging on its network. The company inked a deal with Porsche in the U.S. to provide 3 years of free charging to buyers of the upcoming electric Taycan sedan. The charging benefit will be bundled in the price of the Taycan.

Eric Walz

Originally hailing from New Jersey, Eric is a automotive & technology reporter covering the high-tech industry here in Silicon Valley. He has over 15 years of automotive experience and a bachelors degree in computer science. These skills, combined with technical writing and news reporting, allows him to fully understand and identify new and innovative technologies in the auto industry and beyond. He has worked at Uber on self-driving cars and as a technical writer, helping people to understand and work with technology.