Wrigley Field adds EV charging, highlights signage problems
Chicago’s iconic Wrigley Field baseball stadium has been home to the MLB’s Chicago Cubs for over a century – and now, it’s taking steps to cater to the next generations of fans by adding EV charging to its list of amenities.
LG Electronics announced the installation of ten L2 EV charging stations at one of the parking facilities servicing Wrigley Field as part of a broader commercial package between LG and the team/stadium. The chargers operate on the SWTCH platform, which enables the Cubs organization to, “optimize its pricing structure for different events.”
Sure — surge pricing is terrible and should be a universally reviled practice, but you can’t argue with the flexibility that variable pricing offers large venues, and the ability to offer discounted or even free charging during otherwise quiet parking days is one possible silver lining there.
“The availability of these new charging stations near Wrigley Field is helping kick off the new season and demonstrating the forward-thinking approach necessary to help fans at the Friendly Confines and Wrigleyville community embrace electric vehicles without reservations,” said Michael Kosla, senior vice president, LG Business Solutions USA. “Working directly with the Cubs, SWTCH and LG customized the charging stations’ software to manage power, optimize performance and ensure seamless guest experiences.”
The addition of EV charging is an important step forward for Cubs fans with electric vehicles. The ten ports are available on a first-come, first-served basis — and are (ironically) located in Wrigley Field’s Toyota Camry (not an EV, or even a PHEV) parking lot.
Electrek’s Take
When it comes to electrification and combating climate change, I like to celebrate every positive step forward. And, while the addition of EV charging to a major Chicago landmark is certainly that, I can’t help but notice that this project highlights one of the biggest (in my opinion) issues facing widespread understanding of the depth and breadth of America’s current EV charging infrastructure: proper signage.
Look at that tiny sign announcing the new EV charging stations. If you weren’t looking for it, you could easily miss it … and when was the last time you “missed” a gas station? Compare that little green sign to the sixty foot tall, illuminated signs advertising gasoline in the photo of Breezewood, Pennsylvania shown, below …
Oil companies are loud
… I count at least eight different places that I could buy gas or diesel. From left to right, BP, Sheetz, Exxon, Mobil, Texaco, Sunoco, Shell, and Citgo. Heck, that might not even be all of them!
Even if I don’t plan on buying fuel here in Breezewood, I know it’s there. There when I want it, there if I need it. Perpetually there, sure as the moon and the tides. EV charging, meanwhile? Are there even any EV chargers in Breezewood?
Plugshare says there’s a bunch. Fully twenty-eight public-facing DCFC ports, in fact — with more to come at the Flying J, TA Travel Center, and more “behind-the-fence” ports likely already in place. But, without the same signage, how is the average American whipping past Breezewood supposed to know?
For as long as the charging networks insist on leaving their marketing to apps and resist the inevitability of putting up signs that proclaim their availability, for when you want to charge and when you need to charge, there will always be a sense that the EV charging infrastructure is somehow “less than” the oil business’ infrastructure — despite the reality being a very, very different thing.
SOURCES | IMAGES: SWTCH, Plugshare.
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On today’s battle-ready episode of Quick Charge, it’s Elon Musk vs. the world as big players position themselves for control of enough lithium to build 600 million electric cars and the rest of the industry squares up to Tesla in the battle for market leadership.
While Windrose is making sales and expanding into new markets, the Tesla Semi is still in limited tests, Robotaxi launches as a “ride hailing service” in California with randos in the drivers’ seat and Academy Award nominated actor/noted college football analyst Timothée Chalamet teams up with Lucid to steal (even more) sales from the embattled Model S and X lines.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Retrospec, the makers of sleek, powerful e-bikes and outdoor gear built for everyday adventure. Quick Charge listeners can get 10% off their next e-bike ride through August 14 with the exclusive code ELECTREK10 only at retrospec.com.
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If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
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EV charging company ezVOLTz has partnered with Driivz, the EV software arm of Vontier, to make its “Charging as a Service” platform even smarter and more reliable for fleets, businesses, and state and local governments across the US.
If you’re not familiar with ezVOLTz, it’s a full-service EV charging provider. It handles everything, from installing hardware-agnostic chargers to managing the backend with its software platform, ezCONNECT. Now, ezVOLTz is plugging into Driivz’s charging and energy management tech to help run things even more smoothly.
With Driivz’s help, ezVOLTz plans to keep its network humming with 24/7 monitoring and real-time issue detection. Driivz’s Alert Management System can auto-fix up to 80% of charger hiccups remotely without sending a tech on-site. That means more uptime and fewer headaches for drivers and site owners.
“EV adoption is surging, and drivers and the companies and entities that serve them need smart, connected, and reliable charging options,” said ezVOLTz CEO Sam Malhotra. “The Driivz team and their smart charging and energy management solutions are a natural fit in bolstering our services.”
The partnership also gives ezVOLTz new tools to grow its network. Driivz’s software tracks usage patterns and charger performance, helping pinpoint the best spots for new installations. Driivz will also support the ezVOLTz app, letting users plan road trips and find chargers nationwide.
“Reliability and ease-of-use are two of the most important considerations for EV drivers,” said Andrew Bennett, CEO of Driivz. “We’re proud to partner with ezVOLTz in delivering seamless and reliable charging to their customers.”
As more businesses, fleets, and municipalities plug into EVs, partnerships like this one aim to make sure the charging experience keeps up.
Read more: Driivz expands in the US EV charging market with a new HQ
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
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The Subaru BRZ may live on as an EV after all. Subaru wants its share of the sports car market, and an electric BRZ could hit the sweet spot.
Is Subaru launching an electric BRZ?
Subaru discontinued the BRZ in Europe in 2020 after the first generation. Although its twin, the Toyota GR86, was sold until the 2024 model year, the BRZ was released as a US-only model.
In its third generation, it could return as an EV. Speaking with Autocar, Subaru’s European head, David Dello Stritto, said, “Our options are open,” hinting that the BRZ could make a comeback in electric form.
Subaru’s global EV product boss, Inoue Masahiko, confirmed an electric version of the sports car “was under consideration.” He added that Subaru has extensively looked into an EV version of the BRZ with its partner, Toyota.
Masahiko explained that “We did consider electrifying the BRZ and GR86, but the win-win relationship is more important.” So far, “We can’t get the kind of benefits from both sides,” he added.
Subaru is already launching several new electric vehicles in Europe, including the new Uncharted, E-Outback (known as Trailseeker in the US), and an updated Solterra SUV.
Stritto said that an electric sports car will depend on the success of these models first, especially the Uncharted. According to Subaru’s European boss, the Japanese automaker feels “very positively about Subaru enthusiasts, but we need to see how Uncharted does first.”
As for an “electrified” powertrain, or hybrid, Masahiko said the vehicle’s packaging “would make it difficult,” adding an EV version would be “easier” to create.
The comments come after Stritto told Autocar last week that a new entry-level EV could also be in the works. However, that will also depend on how well the Uncharted sells.
For those in the US, don’t worry – Subaru is not planning to discontinue the BRZ. If it did launch as an EV, would you consider one? It would go up against the new Hyundai IONIQ 6 N and Tesla Model 3 Performance.
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