A startup wants to pay Philadelphians to power their EV chargers
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Photo: Courtesy of It's Electric
A New York City-based startup wants to install hundreds of EV chargers throughout Philly — and pay some property owners to power them.
The big picture: Philly and the state are pushing for more widespread adoption of zero-emission vehicles. But they need to significantly boost the infrastructure, like EV charging stations, first.
Driving the news: The startup, It's Electric, says it's worked out a deal with the city. It needs sign-off from city legislators, which the company says could come as soon as next month.
- The 10-year contract would allow the company to initially install 500 EV chargers over the first five years, with an option to add another 500.
- Depending on legislative approval and grant funding, the company expects to begin installation during the first three months of next year.
What they're saying: "You no longer have to own a home or rent from a garage to be part of a cleaner future," Shannon Dulaney, the company's director of public affairs, tells Axios.
- Leah Uko, a spokesperson for Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration, declined to comment on the legislation.
By the numbers: More than 664 EV station locations with 2,030 ports are located within a 20-mile radius around City Hall, which includes portions of South Jersey and Delaware.
- Across the state, there are nearly 2,000 EV stations.
Zoom in: It's Electric tells Axios the contract comes at no cost to the city.
- Instead, the city would take a 12% cut of the annual profits from the EV chargers, with a base rate of at least $70,000 annually.
Plus: To fuel the company's curbside network of EV chargers, It's Electric would seek agreements to tap into power from businesses, schools, libraries and homes.
- Property owners could earn around $3,000 a year, a company spokesperson tells Axios.
- The company is currently operating in several cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles and D.C. Philly would be the company's largest rollout to date.
How it works: The EV chargers include a single port, which you pay for via an app or tap-to-pay.
- The chargers are Level 2, so a full charge will take roughly six hours to complete.
- The chargers don't come with a built-in cable to attach to vehicles, so you'll have to bring your own.
Yes, but: When Philly's charging stations are operational, people can request a free cable on It's Electric's website.