In this first of a four-part series, we ask, "Where's the strangest place you've visited in your EV?"
We started ChargePoint back in 2007 with a mission to provide our business customers and drivers with the best EV charging experience on the planet. And we did it before there was a single plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) available from any major automaker. Now, 12 years, nearly 100,000 places to charge and around 60 million charges delivered later, our obsession has become an e-mobility revolution. Nobody’s ever accused us of lack of ambition. Speaking of reaching for the sky, there’s one industry that figured out the advantages of offering EV charging early on: Airports.
Unplug, Buckle Up and Take Off
In fact, so many airports are installing our EV charging solutions, you’d be forgiven for thinking we were getting into the aircraft electrification business. We’re not (yet, anyway). It’s just that our airport customers know one thing that a lot of other folks haven’t caught onto—that the journey is often as important as the destination. So, in the spirit of summer—and because ChargePoint is no ordinary company—we want to invite you on a road trip like no other. In this, the first of a four-part series, we visit the spectacular, and unusual, Northwestern US with a little help from some of our favorite airports.
San Francisco Bay Area
This is ChargePoint’s home turf, so we’re well-represented at the area’s main airports. You can find our EV charging solutions at San Francisco International (SFO), Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) and Oakland International Airport (OAK), as well as Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) near Santa Rosa, Hayward Executive Airport (HWD), Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) and Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK). While you’re charging up at SFO, head into Terminal 2 to purchase a vest from this unusual vending machine and then hit the road to check out some of the region’s other out-of-the-ordinary offerings:
- Exploratorium: We’re ChargePoint, so of course we’re going to a hands-on science museum dedicated to the understanding of electricity (among many other natural and unnatural wonders). Make sure to check out the Global Climate Change Explorer to see why we do what we do, located 15 miles from SFO and 20 or so from OAK.
- Mazzariello Labyrinth: A hidden maze in hills above Oakland? Find out for yourself—only 15 miles from OAK.
- Winchester Mystery House: This haunted mansion with 160 rooms and staircases that lead nowhere was built to confuse the spirits within and even freaked out Houdini. Lucky for you, ChargePoint stations are a-plenty at SJC and around the region, including here at ChargePoint HQ.
“It’s getting to the point where EV charging is going to be an amenity like having free Wi-Fi in the terminal. You’ve got to have it if you’re going to compete.” – Jon Stout, Airport Manager, Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport
Spokane, WA
Spokane International (GEG) not only offers ChargePoint EV charging solutions to travelers, it is the main airport serving the Inland Northwest, which covers eastern Washington and northern Idaho. It’s one of the most naturally diverse and stunningly beautiful parts of the country. People travel from all over the world for the backpacking, fishing and whitewater rafting adventures of a lifetime, but you’d be remiss if you didn’t visit the following destinations while your car is charging:
- Painted Rocks: Native Americans created these rock paintings depicting some of their earliest interactions with European settlers in the mid-18th century. The trailhead is located just 30 minutes from GEG.
- Radio Flyer Wagon: Grab 299 of your closest friends and pile into the bed of this giant red wagon that will transport you to the past even as it’s “dedicated to the children of the future.” As one of the companies helping to build a safer, healthier future, we highly recommend it (just don’t fall off)—in downtown Spokane, a mere 7 miles from the airport.
Vancouver, BC
Canada has a lot going for it—friendly citizens, maple syrup and hockey to name three—and if the country has its way, there’ll be one more thing to add to that respectable list: EVs. In 2018, Canadian EV sales broke the 2% barrier, surpassing even the market share of its North American neighbor to the south. It’s no surprise then that country’s two busiest airports feature ChargePoint solutions, including Vancouver International (YVR) located in gorgeous Vancouver, British Columbia.
- Gastown Steam Clock: Why are we suggesting a place called “Gastown?” So you can see one of only 6 working steam clocks in the world and marvel at how far we’ve come; a half-hour drive from YVR.
- The Marine Building: In the early 20th century, this art deco masterpiece defined downtown Vancouver. Today, it stands in as a go to location for creating superhero ambience in series such as Smallville, Lucifer and The Flash. Located a mere 30 minutes from the airport.
Want to know what else is weird? Find out next time when we take you to the out-of-the-ordinary destinations you can reach from airports across the Southeastern US.
Where’s the strangest place you’ve taken your EV? Let us know using the hashtag #weirdEVspots on Twitter for a chance to win a special prize. If you'd like EV charging at your favorite airport, feel free to tag them too!
?Question: Where is the most unusual place you have charged on the ChargePoint network?
— ChargePoint (@ChargePointnet) July 16, 2019
? Tag interesting spots with #weirdEVspots and be entered to win a special prize!
EV charging made easy at places like @TorontoPearson thanks to our friends at @ChargePointnet ?? pic.twitter.com/9HNi2fjXbp
— Natalia Lasakova (@natlasakova) July 16, 2019
The new @ChargePointnet setup at @no_airport is great! Plugged in and ready for my trip to @DTWeetin. #ChevyBolt #EV
— Dan C Williams (@dancwilliams) July 16, 2019
