BONUS EPISODE: VOLTA CHARGING

EV Channels Review

This episode of InsideEVs Podcast features Drew Bennett of Volta Charging, detailing the company's unique business model centered around media and advertising revenue from its charging stations. Unlike traditional charging networks, Volta prioritizes enabling EV adoption in areas with lower initial uptake by subsidizing charging costs through its large 55-inch screens, which display ads. The company is expanding its DC fast charging deployment alongside Level 2, adapting to user dwell times at various locations like malls and grocery stores. While Level 2 charging remains free, Volta acknowledges potential abuse and is exploring strategies like idle fees for future paid charging sessions, particularly for DC fast chargers. The discussion also touches on the challenges of charging infrastructure, including uptime, supply chain issues, cable management, and the ongoing quest for seamless user experiences like Plug & Charge, drawing parallels to Tesla's vertically integrated approach.