The vast majority of electric vehicles in the U.S. are charged at home, typically via a 240-volt Level 2 AC charger specifically designed for EVs. If home charging isn’t possible, EV drivers seek out public charging options. One of the nation’s largest providers of public DC fast-charging stations, EVgo, is steadily increasing the number of charging stalls it offers. This summer, the California-headquartered company unveiled a canopy covered, pull-through 12-stall operation in Warren, Michigan near a Meijer grocery-retail store and across the street from the General Motors Technical Center. “Retailers are going to play a big role in the future of [EV] charging,” Will Hotchkiss, head of public charging for General Motors, said at an Automotive Press Association briefing for the new charging station.

Meijer and other host sites provide accessible places for drivers to recharge their EVs. Case in point: Most American households visit a grocery store once or twice a week with a typical shopping spree lasting a few minutes. “Effortless plug and charge is what EV customers want,” said Badar Khan, CEO of EVgo, which has 1,200-plus charging stations across the U.S. The majority of current EVgo charging stations are rated at 350 kW with high-voltage support, making it possible for an EV with a compatible high-voltage architecture to charge in less than 20 minutes, typically taking an EV to 80% battery capacity.