PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This summer, NRG eVgo, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG), will roll out the EZ-Charge (SM) platform, a first-of-its-kind initiative that will offer electric vehicle (EV) drivers the ability to access multiple EV charging networks with a single all-access card.
The EZ-Charge platform will enable drivers of any electric car make or model to carry a single access card for charging on multiple networks, much like consumers today carry a single credit card to access multiple 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.
“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. In addition, eVgo offers a full range of marketing, distribution, fulfillment, activation, operations, and customer support services to enable this packaging for any automaker with the ultimate goal of providing EV drivers with the greatest range confidence and best 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. “The EZ-Charge card creates a strong basis for industry partnerships that enable range confidence for all drivers of all makes and all models of electric cars.”
About NRG eVgo
The NRG eVgo (SM) network gives electric vehicle (EV) owners new freedom and range confidence via home and workplace charging docks, plus a network of fast charging stations conveniently located at retailers along major transportation corridors within eVgo cities. 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 is a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc., a Fortune 500 company at the forefront of changing how people think about, buy and use energy. Through eVgo, NRG will provide access to hundreds of public charging sites across the United States. 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.
Safe Harbor Disclosure
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions and include NRG’s expectations regarding the electric vehicle infrastructure and EZ-Charge card. Forward-looking statements typically can be identified by the use of words such as “expect,” “believe,” and similar terms. Although NRG believes that its expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct, and actual results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated above include, among others, general economic conditions, hazards customary in the power industry, competition in wholesale power markets, the volatility of energy and fuel prices, failure of customers to perform under contracts, changes in the wholesale power markets, changes in government regulation of markets and of environmental emissions, and our ability to achieve the expected benefits and timing of our electric vehicle projects. NRG undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors that could cause NRG’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included in this news release should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect NRG’s future results included in NRG’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.
