General Motors Co (NYSE: GM) is partnering with EVgo Inc (NASDAQ: EVGO) to make Plug and Charge on the Evgo network available for all GM Electric Vehicles (EVs) with DC fast charging capability.
The main benefit to becoming an EVgo GM customer will be that users will be able to simply pull into a charging station and begin a fast-charging session without having to swipe an RFID card or credit card, or opena mobile app. A user’s vehicle will be identified, a charging session begun, and charges applied through automatic identification through a secure communication link between the charger and the user’s car. The user needs to merely plug in the car to begin a charging session. Using the DC fast charging system most cars will reach 80% charged within 15-45 minutes.
The service will add enhanced security features through the use of EVgo’s Autocharge technology.
EVgo chief technology officer Ivo Steklac said, “In collaboration with GM, EVgo continues to implement new technology across multiple hardware and software platforms to enhance the charging experience.”
GM customers who wish to enroll will be able to register their vehicle in the GM brand app, create and link an EVgo account, and activate the service for their vehicle. GM is working with EVgo to add more than 3,250 new fast charging stations across the US by 2025. Presently EVgo customers have access to 850 EvGo fast-charging stations across the country, as well as an additional 1900 fast-charging stations available through roaming partners. That would compare with Tesla’s 3,500 Supercharging stations nationwide.
EVgo shares were down 3.48% on Monday, at $7.21 per share.