CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Simon Property Group, a leader in the global retail real estate industry, and NRG eVgo (ee-vee-go), a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc., announce the opening of the first Freedom Station® in the City of Carlsbad, California.
The Freedom Station, located at the Carlsbad Premium Outlets®, features a 480-volt direct current (DC) fast charger that enables electric vehicle (EV) drivers, who are shopping and visiting, to recharge their vehicles in 30 minutes or less, as well as a traditional 240-volt alternating current (AC) charger that can charge virtually all electric vehicles. Simon Property Group is a long-time industry leader in incorporating energy management and sustainability practices into its mall operations. Supporting the needs of energy-conscious consumers is part of the company’s sustainability strategy, as shoppers can plug in at 100 stations at 43 of Simon’s shopping destinations across the U.S. Comprised of more than 90 stores and covering more than 288,000 square feet, the Carlsbad Premium Outlets are located north of San Diego, Calif., at 5620 Paseo del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008. The Freedom Station is located in the parking lot between Starbucks and Rubio’s.
The Freedom Station in Carlsbad, part of a growing network of Freedom Station sites in California with 19 now open or under construction, is one of eight eVgo public charging stations located within 30 miles of San Diego, giving EV drivers new freedom and range confidence so they can maximize the use of their EVs in the greater San Diego area.
“As a top tourism destination and technology hub, located between San Diego and Los Angeles, the city of Carlsbad is the perfect location for a recharging station,” said Matt Hall, Mayor of the city of Carlsbad, Calif. “With the opening of this eVgo Freedom Station, Carlsbad becomes a top destination for a new audience – electric car drivers – who want to enjoy our beautiful beaches, top notch shopping and dining, and active Southern California coastal lifestyle. It’s the perfect addition to our world class city.”
“Whether shoppers come to us as a destination or as a delightful excursion on their way through Carlsbad, we work hard to create a welcoming atmosphere where their every shopping need is met,” said Terri Mannes, General Manager, Carlsbad Premium Outlets. “We are thrilled to offer an eVgo Freedom Station to Carlsbad shoppers because it reinforces our commitment to providing an unparalleled shopping experience and to integrating sustainable solutions into our properties.”
“NRG eVgo is committed to making driving an electric car easy for California drivers by developing an extensive charging ecosystem that is designed to meet their diverse needs,” said Terry O’Day, vice president for NRG eVgo in California. “With charging options at your home, apartments and work combined with on-the-go charging in cities such as Carlsbad, our mission is to make it even easier to choose and drive electric.”
Building on the growing eVgo Freedom Station charging network in San Diego with sites now open or under construction in the cities of San Diego, Del Mar, Chula Vista and Escondido, the Carlsbad charging station features a 480-volt DC Fast Charger, that can deliver up to an 80 percent charge in less than 30 minutes, as well as a 240-volt Level 2 charger to serve electric vehicles that do not have a fast charging option. Level 2 chargers deliver range at a rate of 12 – 25 miles of range per hour of charge. Freedom Station sites are also wired for the addition of a second DC charger to allow new technology to be quickly added to the site. Most sites are available 24/7 and are positioned near retail stores as well as restaurants to provide EV drivers with the option to charge while shopping or eating.
NRG eVgo is building a network of more than 200 Freedom Station charging sites as well as the infrastructure to support Level 2 charging at multi-family residences and workplaces throughout the state of California. The Freedom Station network is just one part of the NRG eVgo ecosystem designed for EV drivers to get the most out of their vehicles by providing simple charging solutions at home, at apartments, at work, at the airport and on the go. By the end of 2016, the Freedom Station network will support California EV drivers in the Los Angeles Basin, San Diego Area, San Francisco Bay Area, and the San Joaquin Valley.
About Simon Property Group
Simon Property Group, Inc. is an S&P 100 company and a global leader in the retail real estate industry. The Company currently owns or has an interest in more than 325 retail real estate properties in North America and Asia comprising approximately 241 million square feet. We are headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employ approximately 5,500 people in the U.S. For more information, visit the Simon Property Group website at www.simon.com.
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 California, Texas and the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. 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.
