Electrify America Unveils Next-Generation EV Charging Station with Battery Storage

Electrify America Expands Network with Advanced Santa Barbara Charging Hub

Electrify America has launched a new EV charging station in Santa Barbara, California, marking a significant step in the evolution of charging infrastructure. This new facility is classified as a "large-format station" and is designed to accommodate a substantial number of electric vehicles simultaneously.

State-of-the-Art Facilities and Power Delivery

The Santa Barbara station boasts 20 ultra-fast dispensers, capable of delivering up to 350 kW of power to each of the 20 EVs it can serve concurrently. This capability ensures that drivers can quickly charge their vehicles, minimizing wait times. This marks Electrify America's fourth large-format station in California, joining similar facilities in Santa Monica, San Diego, and San Francisco.

Integrated Battery Energy Storage System

A key feature of the new station is its integrated battery energy storage system, which includes a 1.9-megawatt battery. This is the largest battery deployed by Electrify America to date. The battery storage system plays a crucial role in managing grid load by storing energy during off-peak hours and discharging it when demand is high. This approach not only expands charging capacity but also helps to reduce stress on the local power grid.

"This large-format station showcases the next evolution of charging infrastructure, combining high-power charging with integrated battery energy storage to deliver reliable capacity at scale."

"By incorporating advanced storage technology, we’re able to bring Hyper-Fast charging to locations that have traditionally been difficult to serve, while making it easy for customers to integrate charging into their daily routines in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara."

Rob Barrosa, Electrify America President and CEO, highlighted the station's innovative design, stating, "This large-format station showcases the next evolution of charging infrastructure, combining high-power charging with integrated battery energy storage to deliver reliable capacity at scale." He further added, "By incorporating advanced storage technology, we’re able to bring Hyper-Fast charging to locations that have traditionally been difficult to serve, while making it easy for customers to integrate charging into their daily routines in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara."

Connector Availability and Future Upgrades

Currently, the Electrify America station in Santa Barbara exclusively features CCS1 connectors. However, the company plans to begin retrofitting NACS connectors at the site starting this summer as part of its ongoing NACS pilot program. This move will accommodate a wider range of EVs, including those from Tesla, Rivian, and Cadillac.

Electrify America's Network Reach

Electrify America operates a substantial network of EV charging infrastructure across the United States. The company currently manages 1,149 DC fast charging stations spread across 47 states and the District of Columbia. In total, the network comprises over 5,700 individual fast-charging ports, supporting the growing adoption of electric vehicles nationwide.