As 2022 draws to a close, the EVCS team looks back on a year filled with so much progress and success across our industry, including a sharp rise in EV sales, a record number of new EV makes and models, advances in battery technology, and groundbreaking legislation on both state and national levels that promote the promise of electric mobility. We celebrate those achievements that have made sustainable ever yet attainable while simultaneously building toward future goals. For EVCS in particular, 2022 proved to be a watershed year in both regards.

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A High-Voltage Highway‍

In May, with Oregon governor Kate Brown by his side, EVCS co-founder Ian Vishnevsky unveiled 44 upgraded EV chargers making up that state’s leg of the West Coast Electric Highway. The revamped DC fast chargers, primarily located along I-5, I-84 and US-101, replaced the old CHAdeMO-only system in favor of new CHAdeMO and CCS1 combo connectors while also adding 110V outlets for e-bikes and scooters.

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Get Green, Go Green

In early July, we completed a $68.8 million capital raise aimed at accelerating our fast-charging network across the West Coast, including expansion into 35 new cities while increasing charger density in existing ones. The financing was comprised of an $18.8 million Series A equity round from Spring Lane Capital, Abdo Partners and Copulous Group along with an additional $50 million debt facility from Spring Lane.

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Powered by People

Also this summer, we hired former Amazon marketing exec and digital media guru Kirk Johnson as Chief Growth Officer, who has since spearheaded the development of all our customer-facing touchpoints. His hiring was then followed by a spate of others, including a Head of Construction, VP of Sales, VP of Partnerships, VP of Software Engineering, and Head of Growth Marketing.

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An Amped-Up Media Campaign

Just this year alone, we’ve earned over 100 media placements across an array of platforms and outlets, including Business Insider, Tech Crunch, CarBuzz, dot.LA, Automotive News and ABC 7. Their content has praised EVCS for raising the standards of reliability in EV charging, increasing the pace of transitioning to electric, and rolling out progressive new payment models that simplify EV ownership.

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A Powerhouse Partner

Last year, we announced a contract to purchase over 500 Tritium DCFCs as we worked to expand West Coast EV infrastructure. This year, we’ve stepped it up, ordering an additional 300 of their 50kW RTM fast chargers, which brings their total contribution to our network to over 800. Tritium is a Nasdaq-listed company that has won numerous awards for product innovation, design and engineering.

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Subscribe and Save

In October, we revealed key changes to our industry-disrupting subscription platform – namely the launch of a cost-savings calculator and two new unlimited charging tiers (Off-Peak Pro and Anytime Pro) that open access to previously excluded commercial classes such as rideshare and delivery drivers. Analysis shows our subscriptions plans could save the average EV driver almost $700 a year.

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Bigger is Better

We now have a record number of installations across the West Coast as we pioneer new ways to democratize EV infrastructure. A total of 661 chargers, including 236 DCFCs, can be found across 150+ different locations – and growing – from supermarkets and gyms to public lots and parking garages. We also installed our first 100kW fast charger this year at the beautiful Kenwood Inn in Sonoma.

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Looking Ahead to ‘23

While we’ve made great strides toward a clean-energy future, we know there is much more to do. Our 2023 goals include improving charger density across California, Oregon and Washington; continued renovation of the WCEH; the creation of new digital processes and product experiences that reduce barriers to EV ownership; and expanded marketing efforts that espouse the virtues of going electric.

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Many thanks to our valuable readership and we look forward to connecting with you again in the new year! Together, we're making a difference. 

Happy holidays from EVCS.

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