Electrify America, the flagship charging network established as part of Volkswagen’s commitment following the diesel emissions scandal, continues to make significant strides in the electric vehicle (EV) charging landscape. Recently, a milestone event took place as Tom Moloughney of State Of Charge was invited to be the first journalist to tour Electrify America’s new Technology Campus located in Ashburn, Virginia. This campus, featuring an advanced Center of Excellence established in 2023, serves as the backbone of the company’s technological operations, showcasing an array of innovations designed to enhance the user experience and ensure the reliability of the charging network.
### Overview of Electrify America’s New Technology Campus
The new Center of Excellence is not just a larger facility but also incorporates sophisticated technological advancements aimed at the heart of EV charging. This campus includes an impressive lineup of 18 DC fast chargers, representing the spectrum of chargers utilized by Electrify America. The facility also houses a fleet of various EVs that enables rigorous testing—an essential component as software updates and new charging services continue to roll out. This initiative addresses one of the key challenges in the EV market: ensuring all devices, old and new, work seamlessly together.
Among its numerous features, the Technology Campus boasts a DC emulator capable of simulating charging sessions for a wide variety of vehicles, including rare or older models that wouldn’t typically have access to modern charging infrastructure. The testing capabilities extend to both regular and extreme temperature conditions, which is critical for ensuring reliability in diverse climates.
### Growth and Expansion of Electrify America
Electrify America has established itself as the largest DC fast-charging network in the United States, with over 5,000 DC fast chargers across 1,000 locations in 47 states and seven provinces in Canada. The network has been expanding ambitiously, focusing on high-voltage, high-power chargers, with approximately 75% of its chargers rated at 350 kW. New installations are designed with customer convenience in mind, targeting an average of 10 charging stalls per location, with some sites even reaching up to 30 stalls.
In recent years, the company has made notable upgrades to its older infrastructure, refreshing 900 dispensers last year and an additional 700 already this year. The growth is not just in quantity but also aligns with quality improvements to enhance the overall customer experience—critical in a market where reliability has historically been a concern.
### Reliability Improvements and Customer Satisfaction
Initially, Electrify America faced multiple challenges, particularly concerning reliability as the network integrated a wide range of EVs from different manufacturers. However, recent independent studies indicate that reliability has drastically improved. As per J.D. Power, customer satisfaction has improved, positioning Electrify America slightly above average among third-party networks while still trailing behind OEM-branded options.
The improvements in reliability stem from the deployment of newer charging technologies designed for serviceability, along with advanced diagnostic capabilities. These enhancements aim to bolster consumer trust in utilizing public charging networks.
### Transitioning to NACS
A major shift on the horizon is Electrify America’s transition from the CCS1 to the SAE J3400 (NACS) standard, which began with a pilot program in March 2025 featuring Alpitronic HYC400 chargers in select locations. As NACS is increasingly adopted, the pilot aims to gather crucial data, which will inform the network’s strategic deployment efforts.
An important note in this transition is the policy surrounding adapters. Only UL-certified adapters will be permitted, ensuring safety and reliability across the network. This strict policy also extends to manufacturers supplying adapters for their vehicles, reinforcing the commitment to high standards within the charging infrastructure.
### Addressing Congestion and Enhancing User Experience
Electrify America’s Congestion Reduction Pilot program aims to tackle wait times at busy charging stations by limiting charging to 85% state of charge (SOC), where charging speeds typically slow down. This initiative has already expanded to over 100 stations, and initial feedback from users indicates positive acceptance.
Another innovative approach to managing congestion is the time-of-use pricing model, which adjusts charging costs according to peak usage hours, encouraging users to charge during off-peak times. These strategies not only improve the efficiency of the network but also enhance the overall user experience by minimizing frustrating wait times.
### Plug & Charge: A Seamless Experience with Challenges
The Plug & Charge service has made strides in creating a seamless charging experience for customers, now available to EVs from eight different manufacturers. However, challenges persist in completely integrating systems and pricing models. For instance, despite having an Electrify America membership, drivers using Plug & Charge may not benefit from reduced pricing—a technical hurdle that the company is actively working to resolve.
### Future Sustainability
With Volkswagen’s initial investment of $2 billion set to conclude by 2026, questions loom about the future of Electrify America. Nevertheless, representatives emphasize a steadfast commitment to developing a sustainable business model that extends beyond initial funding. The aim is to evolve and maintain competitiveness in a growing landscape that includes networks like Tesla Superchargers, EVgo, and ChargePoint.
### Conclusion
The visit to Electrify America’s new Technology Campus brings to light the substantial progress made in the EV charging infrastructure landscape. With ongoing enhancements in technology, reliability, and user experience, Electrify America is poised to play a crucial role in advancing electrification in the transportation sector. As the company continues to innovate and expand, it sets a foundation for a more connected and sustainable future in electric mobility.
The insights garnered during this tour highlight the efforts being made to meet the increasing demand for reliable and efficient EV charging solutions. From comprehensive testing facilities to experimental charging initiatives like the NACS transition, Electrify America’s commitment to enhancing the EV charging experience appears robust and promising—a significant step in the journey towards a more electric future.
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