Avis Budget Group and EverCharge has launched a significant number of EV charging stations at the George Bush International Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas. The stations will power Avis and Budget's fleet of EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) available for rent at the airport. The EverCharge stations will be unveiled by executives from Avis Budget Group, EverCharge, and SK Group.

EverCharge's patented load balancing software, SmartPower, enables large-scale, networked EV charging by managing and controlling electric loads, analyzing the charging patterns of EVs, and intelligently allocating available power based on the individual vehicle's need. SmartPower empowers EverCharge partners, such as Avis, to install more stations than would be available with traditional charging systems, without a strain to the existing energy grid or the need for costly utility upgrades. Although EverCharge has stations at multiple locations, this is the first large-scale charging solution at an airport.

The partnership between Avis Budget Group and EverCharge at the Houston airport is designed to serve as a model for scalable fleet electrification planning at airports across the U.S. It is also the latest example of Avis Budget Group's belief that electrification is the future of mobility, and having sustainable options in its fleet, including electric and fuel-efficient vehicles, is a core part of the company's business strategy. Avis Budget Group believes that partnerships like this, which tackle some of the infrastructure challenges associated with electrification, will help the company reach its 2030 ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) target to reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 30%. The EverCharge stations will serve as a visible reminder of Avis Budget Group's commitment to investing in infrastructure and advanced technology that support the nation's transition to electric mobility.

This partnership comes on the heels of EverCharge's acquisition last year by SK Group, South Korea's second-largest conglomerate. SK Group is investing billions of dollars in U.S. energy solutions and sustainable technologies, such as those by EverCharge, to fulfill its commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 200 million tons in 2030, or 1% of the global carbon reduction targets needed to address climate change. Following the launch at the Houston airport, Avis Budget Group and EverCharge plan to extend this partnership to additional airport locations this year.