Kameale Terry, a resident of South Central Los Angeles, recognized the need for a workforce to maintain the expanding network of electric vehicle charging stations in the U.S. in 2016. When she returned to take care of her mother battling cancer, Terry joined EV Connect, a software company for EV charging stations, in a role involving driver support.
Her experience at EV Connect highlighted the challenges faced by EV drivers when stations malfunctioned, driving her to co-found ChargerHelp! in 2020. The company’s goal is to train technicians nationwide to repair charging stations promptly and improve their uptime.
Besides the inconvenience faced by EV drivers, Terry was also motivated by the broader implications of charging infrastructure. Having grown up in a highly polluted area of Los Angeles, she understood the relationship between air pollution, health concerns, and environmental impacts, particularly after losing her mother to cancer.
ChargerHelp! operates by having gas station or business managers submit repair requests through an app when chargers have issues. Remote assistance is provided for quick fixes, while on-site technicians are dispatched for more complex problems. The company has expanded to 17 states.
One of ChargerHelp!’s employees, Clyde Ellis, transitioned from the oil and gas industry to work in EV maintenance, driven by a desire to contribute positively to the environment. The company’s technicians often come from diverse career backgrounds, with Terry noting the enthusiasm of individuals from various sectors in supporting EV adoption.
The Biden-Harris administration aims for 50% of new cars in the U.S. to be electric by 2030, emphasizing the importance of reliable EV charging infrastructure. Terry believes that addressing issues like broken chargers can build trust in EV technology and accelerate its adoption.