Rove, a new startup company in the EV charging space, has unveiled its first EV charging plaza in Santa Ana, California, with plans to open 11 more in the near future. The company aims to expand into other EV strongholds across the country. The chairman and CEO of Rove, Bill Reid, who is also an EV owner, understands the challenges faced by EV owners, such as broken chargers, lack of amenities, and unreliable Wi-Fi.
The charging plaza features 40 covered EV charge stations, including 28 Tesla V4 NACS and 12 ABB SAE CCS and CHAdeMO chargers. Each charger is checked daily by on-site staff to ensure functionality. Additionally, the plaza includes a Gelson’s ReCharge, a smaller version of the high-end supermarket chain, where customers can purchase groceries, meals, and drinks.
One of the key features of the charging plaza is the mix of chargers available, including the latest Tesla V4 superchargers and ABB CCS units. The chargers are strategically placed under a large canopy, making them easily accessible. The chargers are not set up to split power with another car, and all are designed to prevent overlapping cords.
Rove has focused on providing a seamless charging experience for EV owners by offering amenities such as 24/7 security, secure indoor workspace, bathrooms, Wi-Fi, trash cans, and windshield washing squeegees. On-site staff are trained to assist customers with charging, run diagnostics, and ensure the equipment is functioning properly.
The partnership with Gelson’s has provided Rove with an anchor for the charging plaza, offering customers access to a variety of products and services. Gelson’s ReCharge is open to everyone, not just EV owners, and provides a convenient location for customers to shop, relax, and recharge.
Looking ahead, Rove plans to leverage the learnings from the Santa Ana location to expand their network of charging plazas. The company aims to redefine the EV charging experience by providing a reliable, convenient, and user-friendly service to EV owners. With a focus on customer satisfaction and innovation, Rove is poised to make a significant impact in the EV charging industry.
