The Knowledge Center

What Is PowerNode?

PowerNode is a high-speed, low cost, and reliable EV fast charging solution for convenience stores that allows retailers across America to capture share of wallet from EV drivers. Built upon years of engineering and patented technology, PowerNode is an AI controlled and battery-backed charging station that brings high reliability fast charging to your convenience store in weeks instead of years by avoiding grid upgrades and expensive demand charges.

What is NEVI funding?

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law in November of 2021. IIJA created the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program which allocates $5 billion of funding for the deployment of EV fast charging stations along interstate highway corridors around America. Subject to meeting the specific criteria, eligible convenience stores can receive grant funding to deploy EV fast charging systems like the PowerNode Platform. Your convenience store may be eligible to receive funding.

How does PowerNode work?

PowerNode uses chargers, a battery, and AI driven software to deliver charging sessions while regulating your stores' power consumption to affordable levels. Our software predicts load, monitors utility bills, and manages power to create the highest performance and most economical charging station experience. Our battery quickly discharges to support increased charging demand in order to lower your power consumption from the grid. That means a higher level of charging sessions per day at a lower cost. 

What tax incentives am I eligible for?

In August of 2022, The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law, offering federal tax credits to businesses who invest in Energy Storage Technology and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property. These tax incentives help retailers upgrade their offerings related to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Business owners can expect tax credits between 6% and 50% from the purchase price of these investments, which if designed and implemented correctly will drive material recurring revenue through enhanced retail traffic. 

What is the Command Console?

Command Console is the single stop dashboard for your convenience store’s EV fast charging station. It allows you to monitor performance, revenues, uptime, session data, and costs all in one simple-to-use interface. 

Rest assured that Command Console integrates with industry leading point of sale systems allowing you to seamlessly track charging revenue. Command Console helps you unlock additional revenue by promoting in-store deals while synchronizing your loyalty reward programs with your charging station customers.

Command Console also helps you make more money by supercharging your station’s performance with its proprietary car forecasting algorithms that minimize your energy costs to increase your daily profits.

How does maintenance work?

PowerNode O&M is your comprehensive parts and labor warranty for your EV fast charging station. You can rest assured that your PowerNode is overseen in the cloud by our Network Operations Team 24/7 and serviced by a national provider of in-field maintenance services.

Backed up with a 98% uptime guarantee, PowerNode O&M makes station reliability seamless with autonomous monitoring and troubleshooting of your charging station, increasing its uptime and revenue. Attract repeat customers to your store with outstanding charging success rate performance and continuous station operations with PowerNode O&M as your partner.

How do I add more chargers with Powernode?

PowerNode is the only affordable and scalable framework for EV fast charging station growth in the market, providing a foundation for long-term success. Once installed, the site is equipped with high-power and AI-driven battery storage that can support additional chargers at your convenience store, without additional storage equipment. 

With PowerNode, the incremental cost per charger is only $40,000, compared to $150,000 with competing solutions. Thus, the affordability of additional chargers to grow your station revenue is unmatched. Based on current data, utilization levels in California already merit the consideration of 2 or more chargers in order to maximize your revenue potential.

How do I scale up PowerNode to multiple convenience stores?

PowerNode is designed to scale effortlessly across your real estate footprint. Whether you have 5 convenience stores, or 5000, PowerNode provides affordable, reliable and high performance EV fast charging. All of your PowerNode charging stations are monitored from one easy to use interface, so you can see the combined performance of all stations, or a single station’s performance with the click of a button. 

What are Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) credits?

LCFS credits are an incentive designed to reduce carbon emissions in California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Registered EV charging stations generate LCFS credits, which are valued according to each metric ton of carbon dioxide emissions reduced.

Charging station owners earn revenue from selling these credits, estimated to be worth at least $7,000 per year in year 1 of your charging station’s activation. Do you have solar onsite? If so, revenue generation may be even stronger!

Electric Era manages the sale of these credits on behalf of your business to maximize the revenue you receive and collects the nuanced data required to ensure compliance against state reporting audits. 

Curious to see if your site qualifies for LCFS credits?

How can I access funding from my utility for installing PowerNode?

Many electrical utilities throughout the United States offer rebates and make-ready funding for their business customers in order to help incentivize commercial hubs to install public EV fast charging stations. 

Large portions of the upfront project costs, up to 100% in some locations, may be covered.  

Electric Era finds and secures every possible incentive for your PowerNode installation. Our energy experts can identify funding opportunities for your site today.