Orange Charger suggests that a $750 outlet could be a solution to EV charging needs in apartments
Nicholas Johnson’s unusual entrepreneurial venture was sparked by a losing bet.
He started his company after being defeated in a wager, proving that
Nicholas Johnson’s journey to founding Orange Charger began with a lost bet. As he sat down for dinner with some investors at Lyt, a road congestion management company he had co-founded, the conversation turned to EV charging and its challenges in multifamily housing.
The Problem with Public Charging
Apartment dwellers who own electric vehicles (EVs) are often left with two less-than-ideal options: public chargers or plugging their vehicles into regular 120-volt outlets. The latter adds about three to five miles of range per hour, which is hardly convenient for daily driving.
Johnson, a Tesla alumnus, wasn’t particularly intrigued by this problem until one of the investors at dinner presented him with a proposition.
A Lost Bet and a New Opportunity
"I got bet by one of our investors to drive to and from work, which was about 48 miles at the time, for six months charging my EV with nothing more than a Level 1 outlet," Johnson told TechCrunch. "He said, ‘If you don’t need to plug in at a DC fast charger other than for weekend road trips, I win the bet and you have to build me a prototype.’"
Johnson lost the bet, but that loss turned out to be a blessing in disguise. He built a prototype, which would eventually become the foundation of Orange Charger.
The Birth of Orange Charger
Orange Charger is a company that sells landlords 240-volt smart outlets, among other products. The idea behind this innovative approach is to bill landlords based on energy usage instead of the number of outlets installed.
Johnson explained that by only charging for actual usage, there’s no downside to installing multiple units. "You have no downside to install 50 outlets day one," he said. "We only charge when the device is used."
A Solution to a Vexing Problem
This approach just might solve one of the vexing chicken-and-egg problems that drags on EV adoption: the need for charging infrastructure and the willingness of consumers to adopt electric vehicles.
With about 2,000 units installed nationwide, Orange Charger has already made significant strides in addressing this issue. Johnson believes that his company’s innovative approach can help drive EV adoption forward.
Seven Things Every EV Fast-Charging Network Needs
- Scalability: The ability to expand rapidly without sacrificing quality.
- Interoperability: Compatibility with multiple types of vehicles and charging systems.
- Security: Robust security measures to protect user data and prevent tampering.
- User Experience: A seamless and intuitive experience for users, both online and offline.
- Data Analysis: Real-time monitoring and analysis of energy usage patterns.
- Maintenance: Regular maintenance and updates to ensure optimal performance.
- Partnerships: Collaborations with manufacturers, governments, and other stakeholders.
A New Era in EV Charging
With Orange Charger leading the way, the future of EV charging looks bright. By addressing one of the major barriers to widespread adoption, Johnson’s company is paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable transportation landscape.
The founding of Orange Charger serves as a reminder that even the most unlikely beginnings can lead to remarkable innovations and breakthroughs. As Johnson’s story demonstrates, sometimes losing a bet can be the best thing that ever happens to you.
