ChargePoint has announced Waitlist, a new service that enables drivers to use their mobile phones or RFID card to “line up” to use a charging station.
When a charging station is busy, drivers can use Waitlist by tapping their ChargePoint card on the station to get in line. After a car has finished charging, or reached the time or energy limit set by station owners, drivers receive a friendly reminder asking them to move their vehicle so others can charge. When a station becomes available, the first driver in line is notified. If they’re busy, they can defer and wait for the next available station. Drivers can also set up Waitlist so they are automatically added to a queue every day.
ChargePoint tested Waitlist with 30 customers, serving 14,000 drivers, before making the service widely available, and found that station utilization increased by 20% on average, and as much as 45% for stations that were already busy. Results showed an average of 500 drivers queued up on any given day, and all drivers had typically received adequate charging before the end of the day. Drivers, many of whom had created inadequate, makeshift systems to address crowded charging stations, reported that Waitlist removed the stress and tension of sharing stations.
Waitlist can also be adapted to best fit individual charging station owner needs. For example, station owners can limit how long drivers can charge when the Waitlist service is enabled, helping them maximize use of their stations. Analytics and reporting provided by ChargePoint helps station owners plan capacity upgrades and identify drivers who do not move their vehicles in a timely fashion.
“Our mission is to get everyone into an EV, and as the number of EVs on the road increases, we’re building features that ensure charging and driving an EV is a seamless experience,” said Pasquale Romano, ChargePoint CEO. “Waitlist provides drivers with the charge they need without any headaches for station owners; they can rest easy knowing our Waitlist capability will make things easier for everyone.”
ChargePoint is rolling out Waitlist to all its customers, effective immediately. More information about ChargePoint Waitlist can be found: http://www.chargepoint.com/waitlist/
