Adding to the already crowded and controversial e-scooter and bike scene, more than 250 charging, docking, and service stations are slated to arrive in Atlanta in the coming months.
GetCharged Inc. or “Charge,” a New York-based micromobility company, announced today it has partnered with parking operators and private property owners around the city to install its docking stations in what it calls convenient, safe, and cost-effective spaces in an effort to reduce e-vehicle clutter on streets and sidewalks.
“The city of Atlanta recognizes the issues with dockless systems and is starting to crack down on e-scooter companies, having recently issued more than $100,000 in fines and impound fees, and it is time for the community to have a workable solution that solves these issues and empowers the micromobility industry,” said Andrew Fox, Charge co-founder and CEO, in a press release.
Designed to work with most brands of e-scooters and e-bikes, these new docking stations will charge, store, and service e-vehicles, supporting up to 10 e-vehicles per standard parking spot in a lot or garage.
Charge says the first 25 stations will be up and running in the coming months, although it has not revealed exactly where those locations are. A look at the full list of Atlanta locations shows high concentrations of stations in downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and near SunTrust Park.
However, it doesn’t give specifics on exact locations. There’s also no clear indication on pricing for use of the stations.
“The Charge business model allows individuals and ‘juicers’ (individuals paid to collect and charge e-vehicles) to rent accessing on the docking stations,” Fox says.
“Payment occurs either by the charge (for the individual) or the hour (for juicers). In this way, Charge gives individuals and juicers access to infrastructure that is closer to the places where e-scooters are picked up and dropped off.”
Of course, that begs the question, “Why would individuals pay Charge to access a charging station when there are thousands of charged e-vehicles available around town?”
When asked, representatives for Charge did not respond.
In tandem with the charging stations, Charge developed a proprietary mobile app to enable consumers to locate and use e-scooters and e-bikes through interfacing with its docking stations. In addition, the app will be integrated with partnered rideshare platforms so users can find to available e-vehicles and see their level of charge.
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