Simon and NRG eVgo Celebrate National Drive Electric Week with Charging Stations Opening in Northern California

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Electric Vehicle (EV) drivers are now able to plug in and charge their cars while they shop or grab a bite at four of Northern California's premier retail destinations. Simon, a global leader in the retail real estate industry, and NRG eVgo (ee-vee-go), a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc., announced today the installation of new electric car fast-charging Freedom Station® sites that can recharge shoppers' vehicles in 30 minutes or less at four Northern California Simon shopping centers: Vacaville Premium Outlets, Livermore Premium Outlets, Great Mall and Petaluma Village Premium Outlets.

"As we observe National Drive Electric Week it's particularly appropriate to be adding to our growing network of state-of-the-art electric vehicle charging stations at our shopping centers in Northern California," said Mark Silvestri, Chief Operating Officer for Simon Premium Outlets.  "Installing charging stations at popular destinations shows our commitment to delivering a more sustainable shopping experience that is also convenient for our customers."

"Recently, the number of plug-in electric vehicles on California roads topped 100,000.  The NRG eVgo Freedom Station sites at Vacaville Premium Outlets, Livermore Premium Outlets, Great Mall and Petaluma Village Premium Outlets have enabled NRG eVgo to continue to expand our charging network for the growing number of electric car drivers in California," said Terry O'Day, Vice President of NRG eVgo. "Partnering with Simon on these Freedom Station sites in Northern California also connects Sacramento to the Bay Area along the NRG eVgo network, making it even easier for Californians to choose and drive electric."

The Great Mall and Petaluma Village Premium Outlets' Freedom Station sites opened in the last month to join the Vacaville Premium Outlets' and Livermore Premium Outlets' Freedom Station sites which opened earlier this year.

The Great Mall's Freedom Station is located on the first level of the parking building structure located on the east side of the shopping center between entrance 4 and 5A. 

Petaluma Village Premium Outlets' Freedom Station is located on the south east corner behind the Gap and facing the freeway.

Vacaville Premium Outlets' Freedom Station is located on the West Plaza between Aldo and the center Security Office.

The Freedom Station at Livermore Premium Outlets is located on the north west corner of the parking lot near Neiman Marcus Last Call and facing I580.

EV charging stations have already been deployed at four additional shopping centers in Northern California:  Folsom Premium Outlets, Napa Premium Outlets, Stanford Shopping Center and Stoneridge Shopping Center.

Simon is a long-time real estate leader in energy management and sustainability practices, including initiatives to measure and reduce overall energy consumption, water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Supporting the needs of energy conscious consumers is also part of Simon's sustainability strategy. Shoppers can plug in to 170 electric vehicle charging stations located at 55 of Simon's shopping destinations.

The eVgo Freedom Station sites at Simon's Northern California shopping centers support both current and future charging technology, serving California's EV drivers' on-the-go charging needs regardless of what kind of electric vehicle they drive. All Freedom Station sites currently include CHAdeMO DC fast chargers that can charge an electric vehicle in less than 30 minutes, as well as a standard Level 2 charger to serve EVs that do not have a fast charging option.  By adding SAE Combo DC fast chargers at California Freedom Station locations, eVgo furthers its support to all EV drivers whatever they drive and however they choose to charge. 

eVgo is building a network of more than 200 Freedom Station fast-charging sites as well as the infrastructure to support Level 2 charging at multi-family residences and workplaces throughout the state of California. The eVgo network is designed to support electric vehicle drivers whenever and wherever they choose to charge - at home, at work, on the road, at their apartment community or even at the airport. 

For more information, visit simon.com or nrgeVgo.com.

About Vacaville Premium Outlets

Vacaville Premium Outlets features 120 outlet stores from the world's finest designer and name brands offering savings of 25% to 65% every day, including Coach, Gucci, Guess, J.Crew, Nike, Puma, Polo Ralph Lauren, True Religion, Tommy Hilfiger, Kate Spade New York and more. For information visit www.premiumoutlets.com/vacaville.

About Livermore Premium Outlets

Livermore Premium Outlets features 130 outlet stores from the world's finest designer and name brands offering savings of 25% to 65% every day, including Armani, Barneys New York, Bloomingdale's Outlet, Burberry, Cole Haan, DKNY, Elie Tahari, Kate Spade New York, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th and more. For information visit www.premiumoutlets.com/livermore.

About Petaluma Premium Outlets

Petaluma Village Premium Outlets features 60 outlet stores from the world's finest designer and name brands offering savings of 25% to 65% every day, including Coach, Ann Taylor, BCBG Max Azria, Banana Republic, Bose, Brooks Brothers, Jones New York, Levi's, Nike, Puma, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th and more. For information visit www.premiumoutlets.com/petaluma.

About The Great Mall

Great Mall, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in Northern California, provides the ultimate shopping experience with more than 200 outlet and value retail stores including Neiman Marcus Last Call, Coach Factory Store, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, H&M, Forever 21, Abercrombie & Fitch Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store and Michael Kors. Shoppers can dine at great restaurants including Dave & Buster's and Outback Steakhouse, or catch a movie at Century Theatres 20. For more information visit: www.simon.com/mall/great-mall  Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/GreatMall and follow us on Twitter @ShopGreatMall and on Instagram @ShopGreatMall.

About Simon
Simon is a global leader in retail real estate ownership, management and development and a S&P100 company (Simon Property Group, NYSE:SPG).  Our industry-leading retail properties and investments across North America, Europe and Asia provide shopping experiences for millions of consumers every day and generate billions in annual retail sales.  For more information, visit simon.com.

About NRG eVgo
The NRG eVgo ^SM network gives electric vehicle (EV) owners new freedom and range confidence via home and workplace charging docks, plus a network of fast charging stations conveniently located at retailers along major transportation corridors within eVgo cities. Service plans offered by eVgo can provide EV owners a home or workplace charger and use of eVgo's Freedom Station^® sites and other public charging stations.  eVgo is a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc., a Fortune 500 company at the forefront of changing how people think about, buy and use energy. Through eVgo, NRG will provide access to hundreds of public charging sites across the United States.  To find out more, or to join the eVgo network, visit www.nrgeVgo.com. Connect with eVgo on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @nrgeVgo.

SOURCE Simon