The City of Hermosa Beach and NRG eVgo (ee-vee-go), a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc., introduced the first electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging Freedom Station installation on public land in California today. Mayor Michael DiVirgilio and eVgo Vice President Terry O’Day celebrated today’s milestone for this new EV charging access by cutting the ribbon to officially open the station for public use. This public-private partnership makes fast, convenient EV charging a reality for visitors and residents of Hermosa Beach.
"This public-private Freedom Station installation is our first municipal development in the state and a supportive step forward in delivering on our mission to make it even easier to choose and drive electric."
The Freedom Station is the first in Los Angeles County's South Bay and features the first SAE Combo fast-charger install in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Freedom Station, located in the municipal parking garage at 1301 Hermosa Avenue, supports all EV drivers, regardless of what kind of electric vehicle they drive, and expands the eVgo network to 28 fast-charge sites in the Los Angeles area, giving EV drivers new freedom to maximize the use of their EVs in the region.
The City of Hermosa Beach was selected by eVgo as a strategic partner in the opening of the Freedom Station, as the City is a long-time leader in sustainability through its carbon neutral campaign, and the South Bay of Los Angeles touts the highest density of registered EVs in the area. Supporting the needs of environmentally-conscious visitors and residents is part of the City's sustainability strategy, and this eVgo charging station enables EV drivers to conveniently recharge their vehicles near Hermosa Beach's scenic beach, lively pier and eclectic downtown.
"Our beach, restaurants and entertainment options, as well as our central location along the Pacific Coast Highway, make the city of Hermosa Beach the perfect location for the opening of a NRG eVgo Freedom Station," said Michael DiVirgilio, Mayor, Hermosa Beach, Calif. "We're proud to share the Southern California beach lifestyle with the electric car drivers of the South Bay and continue our City's carbon neutral campaign by offering another resource for electric vehicle drivers within Hermosa Beach."
"We are committed to building a comprehensive charging infrastructure for Californians. We have been encouraged by the support of partners like the City of Hermosa Beach," said Terry O'Day, Vice President for NRG eVgo. "This public-private Freedom Station installation is our first municipal development in the state and a supportive step forward in delivering on our mission to make it even easier to choose and drive electric."
All Freedom Station sites currently include CHAdeMO DC fast chargers that can charge an electric vehicle in less than 30 minutes, as well as a standard Level 2 charger to serve EVs that do not have a fast charging option. By adding SAE Combo DC fast chargers at California Freedom Station locations, eVgo furthers its commitment to support all EV drivers whatever they drive and however they choose to charge. Most sites are available 24/7, are positioned near retail stores and restaurants to provide the option to shop or eat while charging and are available to area EV drivers through a variety of charging plans or a no subscription pay per use option.
eVgo is building a network of more than 200 Freedom Station fast-charging sites as well as the infrastructure to support Level 2 charging at multi-family residences and workplaces throughout the state of California. The eVgo network is designed to support electric vehicle drivers whenever and wherever they choose to charge - at home, at work, on the road, at their apartment community or even at the airport.
