Idea Leads to EV Charger Maintenance Business

Kameale Terry, who grew up in South Central Los Angeles, co-founded the company ChargerHelp! in 2020 to address the growing need for maintenance in the expanding network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Her insight into the critical infrastructure required for EVs came after personal experiences with air pollution and its effects on health, as well as her work at EV Connect, a company that provides software for charging stations. Terry's experiences motivated her to improve the user experience for EV drivers, particularly those encountering non-functional chargers. ChargerHelp! aims to train a nationwide workforce of technicians to repair these charging stations, thus minimizing downtime for crucial EV infrastructure. The company employs a varied workforce, drawing technicians from previously unrelated fields like oil and gas and retail, demonstrating a shift toward prioritizing sustainable practices. The need for reliable EV charging infrastructure is underscored by studies showing significant numbers of broken chargers, which can undermine public trust in electric vehicles. Expert opinion in transportation highlights that strong infrastructure is fundamental for the adoption of electric vehicles. Ensuring that charging stations are operational and easily accessible will not only foster a positive experience for EV users but also facilitate broader shifts towards greener transportation methods. As cities adapt to increasing EV usage, investing in maintenance solutions such as those provided by ChargerHelp! can pave the way for a more effective and trustworthy EV ecosystem. This approach is critical if the goals set by the administration for electric vehicle adoption are to be achieved by 2030. The Biden-Harris administration aims for 50% of new vehicles in the U.S. to be electric by 2030, while some states like Washington are pushing for a complete transition to electric or non-polluting vehicles within the same timeframe. Despite the push towards electric vehicles (EVs), there remains significant public mistrust of the EV charging infrastructure, primarily due to numerous reports of broken chargers. The company ChargerHelp! addresses this problem by providing maintenance services for EV chargers, employing technicians from diverse backgrounds, including those from the oil and gas industry. ChargerHelp!’s model involves a mobile app that allows managers to report issues with chargers, which can often be fixed remotely or by sending a technician. Despite some studies indicating a high rate of malfunction among public chargers, the company founder emphasizes the importance of building trust in the charging infrastructure to facilitate the transition to electric vehicles. From a transportation perspective, the success of the Biden administration's goals hinges on more than just the production of electric vehicles; it necessitates a reliable charging network that can alleviate consumer concerns. Investing in robust maintenance and operational systems, as seen with ChargerHelp!, is essential to ensure that charging stations remain functional and accessible, which in turn can accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and support broader environmental goals.