Summary:
Nick Huzar, former OfferUp CEO, is leading Juicer Energy to enhance EV charging infrastructure.
Juicer offers a full-service approach for apartment buildings, hotels, and businesses.
The company has secured $7 million in funding from notable investors.
Juicer installs multiple chargers and manages the entire setup, simplifying the process for property owners.
The Juicer app allows EV owners to charge their vehicles without needing WiFi or cellular data.
The Challenge of EV Charging Availability
Electricity is all around us, but the question remains: why aren’t there enough places to charge electric vehicles (EVs)? This is a dilemma that Nick Huzar, co-founder and former CEO of OfferUp, pondered while seeking his next venture. Today, he leads Juicer Energy, a startup dedicated to enhancing EV charging infrastructure across the U.S.
A Full-Service Approach to EV Charging
Juicer Energy focuses on apartment buildings, hotels, and businesses, offering a comprehensive service for EV charging needs. The startup has raised $7 million in funding from notable investors including Spencer Rascoff, Michael Ovitz, and Kevin Hartz.
Charging infrastructure is vital for increasing EV adoption and meeting carbon emission reduction goals. However, a Harvard Business School study highlights that EV owners face significant frustrations, including unreliable charging options, erratic pricing, and a lack of locations.
Simplifying the EV Charging Experience
Huzar emphasizes that for a company to succeed in this space, it must provide a simple and effective experience for both consumers and landlords. Unlike many competitors who sell hardware to property owners, Juicer installs and manages the entire charging setup. They can complete an assessment and installation within 30 days, often installing around 10 chargers per property.
Juicer employs a device that manages electrical load across multiple chargers, which helps property owners avoid costly upgrades. They collaborate with landlords to set charging rates, generating revenue through initiation fees and monthly payments per active charger, while also sharing profits from charging with property owners.
Innovative Charging Solutions
EV owners can charge their vehicles using the Juicer smartphone app, which operates without requiring WiFi or cellular connections. Following their success in the Seattle area, Juicer plans to expand into more cities.
Experienced Leadership
Huzar, who stepped down from OfferUp in 2021, is passionate about sustainability and has previously launched a nonprofit addressing climate change. He believes in the future of EVs and anticipates the rise of autonomous vehicles as a means to increase local transactions.
Juicer’s leadership team includes Amit Mital, co-founder and COO, a former Microsoft leader, and Goutham Sukumar, co-founder and CTO, who previously led NitroDesk.
Juicer has fewer than 10 employees and utilizes AI tools to streamline operations. The startup is in good company, with other EV charging competitors like Electric Era, Autev, and OpConnect emerging in the Pacific Northwest.
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