Partner Highlight: EVgo’s Contribution to a Cleaner Planet

To show our appreciation for the clients and partners we work with here at Homeboy Electronics Recycling, we’ve started a blog series highlighting some of those partners. (If you missed our first installment in the series, you can read it here.)

This month, we sat down with Eugene Hong, Director of Supply Chain at EVgo

EVgo is an electric vehicle public fast charging network with around 900 fast charging locations in more than 30 states across the country. Their stations are compatible with all major auto manufacturers, including Tesla, making it that much easier and more accessible for drivers to power up on the go. 

Read on to learn more about EVgo, what their current ESG goals are, and how partnering with Homeboy is helping them meet those goals and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable planet.

Share a Little About Yourself and Your Role at EVgo 

My name is Eugene Hong, and I’m the Director of Supply Chain at EVgo, which means I oversee all aspects of our EV charging equipment supply line from procurement to delivery to jobsite to asset retirement. Born and raised in Southern California, I was introduced to Homeboy Industries many years ago.

What Are EVgo’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Initiatives for 2023? 

EVgo is committed to protecting our environment by making it easy for drivers to go electric. 

The EVgo network has been powered by 100% renewable energy since 2019 through the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (REC) from an accredited REC supplier. We’re helping clean up the air and tackle climate change one charge at a time.

In January 2023, we announced EVgo ReNew™, a comprehensive maintenance program designed to ensure stations across EVgo’s charging network meet its quality and technology standards. Through this program, we plan to replace, upgrade, or, in some cases, retire hundreds of stations over the coming year with the goals of enhancing charger availability and building range confidence for EV drivers of all types. 

When a charger is retired from the network, EVgo ships the station to Homeboy to harvest the parts so we can reuse parts wherever possible, recycle valuable materials, and reduce waste. In this way, our partnership with Homeboy Electronics Recycling enables us to extend the life of a charger beyond decommissioning.

What Made EVgo Choose Homeboy Electronics Recycling?  

ESG is in EVgo’s DNA, so it was important for us to find a recycling partner who shared our values and commitment to being both financially and environmentally sustainable. 

As a fellow “hometown” company headquartered in LA, Homeboy appeared to be a natural fit, and, along with their status as both an R2 certified electronics recycler and a B Corp™, we were impressed by their ability to deliver on their commitments. The Homeboy team has always been a resourceful and responsive partner, and we’re excited to continue to grow our partnership. 

What Are EVgo’s Core Values, and How Does Partnering With Homeboy Help You Achieve Them?

EVgo’s mission is to expedite mass adoption of electric vehicles by creating a convenient, reliable, and affordable EV charging network that delivers fast charging to everyone. In addition, we are committed to protecting our environment by making it easy for drivers to go electric. 

Powered by 100% renewable energy through the purchase of renewable energy credits (RECs), EVgo drivers can be confident they’re supporting clean energy and helping tackle climate change with every charge. Since 2018, drivers on our network have reduced the U.S. carbon footprint by more than 100,000 metric tons – the equivalent of planting nearly 1.7 million trees! 

What Has Your Experience Been Working With Homeboy Electronics Recycling? 

With Homeboy, the process of recycling parts from our chargers has been both smooth and efficient.

During visits to the factory, it’s evident the team takes pride in their work. They demonstrate enthusiasm and passion in their commitment to their mission for sustainability and social impact, and we’re so appreciative that they help us contribute to a more sustainable planet by deconstructing our retired chargers to harvest reusable parts with steel, aluminum, and copper components.

How Has Working With Homeboy Impacted Your Business? 

As our network adapts to rapidly changing customer needs, Homeboy has become indispensable for EVgo. The partnership enables us to securely and ethically recycle electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) as well as increase our sustainability efforts. 

In 2022, EVgo reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 261,004 lbs through sustainably recycling EVSE and reducing waste.

Is There Anything Else You’d Like Our Readers to Know About EVgo? 

EVgo is one of the nation’s largest public fast charging networks with around 900 fast charging locations in over 60 metropolitan areas across more than 30 states. Since its founding in 2010, EVgo has led the way to a cleaner transportation future. 

As part of our commitment to providing a best-in-class driver experience, EVgo names every charger on its network so it’s quick and easy to locate a charger in our app or on our website. Our team works hard to identify creative and locally meaningful names for every charger, but also solicits recommendations from customers. 

If it’s not already part of our network, or if you have suggestions for local legends in your area who deserve recognition, let us know at TheEVgoods@evgo.com

At Homeboy Electronics Recycling, we’re honored to partner with companies like EVgo to help meet their ESG goals and take better care of this planet we call home. If you’d like to explore partnering with Homeboy for your e-waste recycling needs, give us a call today at (323) 222-3322.