Voltpost

Voltpost is democratizing EV charging access by retrofitting lamp posts into modular charging stations. The system consists of four aluminum-enclosed quadrants mounted onto the lamp post that leverage the existing conduit for electricity. Taking advantage of existing infrastructure allows the hardware to be installed in less than an hour, unlike the extensive permitting and lengthy construction processes that EV chargers typically require. Car-owners can access real-time availability and make advance reservations via the company’s app, where they can also track charging remotely, pay based on electricity consumption, and get insights on financial and environmental savings. Voltpost’s Charge Station Management System (CSMS) monitors charger performance and provides charging analytics to the city governments and utilities companies that make up the company’s customer base.

Voltpost bundles its hardware, software, warranty, and maintenance costs into a single subscription fee under a hardware-as-a-service (HaaS) model. Even as municipalities pay the contracted annual fee, they can decide how they want to charge EV drivers, offsetting that fee and allowing them to meet their revenue goals. Meanwhile, the HaaS model provides Voltpost with recurring revenue and addresses the issue of charging deserts—particularly among underserved and disadvantaged neighborhoods.

“Sales of electric vehicles are climbing, but they could be climbing faster,” says Founder and CEO Jeff Prosserman. “Concerns over charging access and battery longevity are the biggest hurdles for those thinking about purchasing electric vehicles. Because the financial barrier to entry is lower with a HaaS model than it is with a capex model, HaaS helps cities bring EV charging to everyday locations. It’s a pricing model that’s helping the future of electric vehicles evolve.”