NRG eVgo is moving full speed ahead with its plans to deploy a vast public EV charging network in California. This week the company, a subsidiary of NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG), announced that it has partnerships and agreements in place to build more than 200 DC fast charging “Freedom Stations” (15 are already operational).

“We are making great progress building a comprehensive infrastructure that will make owning an electric vehicle even more convenient and fun. As this network is built out, it will make buying an EV attractive to even more drivers across California,” said NRG eVgo VP Terry O’Day. “The pace of construction has significantly increased. We have been encouraged by the support of partners like Simon Property Group and Kimco Realty, the nation’s largest owner-operators of retail shopping centers.”

eVgo has also announced a partnership with Sequoia Equities to provide Level 2 charging stations at 28 apartment communities across the state. The company has completed site assessments for hundreds more sites, which could eventually result in as many as 2,000 EV-ready parking spaces.

The rise of eVgo’s charging empire has been a colorful story. The network was born as part of an agreement with the state that ended a decade-long legal battle with roots in the 2001 Enron debacle. In 2012, competitor ECOtality (which has since gone bankrupt) accused the state of giving eVgo a sweetheart deal, and unsuccessfully tried to kill the agreement.

In an effort to bring the benefits of EVs to all, at least 20% of the Freedom Station sites will be located in qualified lower-income regions.

“We take great pride in helping reframe the way Californians think about electric cars and their ability to enjoy cleaner transportation by providing the state with the best and most robust fast charging infrastructure in the United States,” said O’Day.

Source: NRG eVgo