Wedoany.com Report-Dec.18, LAZ Parking, the largest privately owned parking operator in the United States, has made a strategic investment in Silicon Valley-based Epic Charging to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure significantly across its network in the US and Canada.
The initiative targets the installation of up to 50,000 Level 2 EV chargers within LAZ's portfolio. LAZ manages over 1.6 million parking spaces at more than 4,000 locations spanning 42 states and 536 cities. The rollout will cover diverse sites, including hotels, commercial and mixed-use properties, surface lots, airports, and municipal facilities—locations where vehicles are routinely parked.
This approach, termed "Charge Where You Park," prioritizes integrating charging capabilities into existing parking spaces rather than requiring drivers to visit dedicated standalone stations. For LAZ, the expansion transforms EV charging into a consistent revenue stream alongside traditional parking operations.
Epic Charging will supply the underlying software through its open-protocol Charge Point Management System (CPMS). This platform manages charger monitoring, predictive maintenance, payment processing, and real-time data analysis while connecting seamlessly with LAZ's current digital parking systems. The software supports compatibility with various OCPP-compliant hardware, though specific equipment suppliers have not been detailed.
The funding from LAZ will accelerate development of Epic's Charge OptimAIzer platform, an AI-driven energy management tool. This cloud-based system uses live inputs from vehicle data, charger status, and utility rates to optimize electrical loads, reduce costs, and enhance operational reliability across charging locations. No specific implementation schedule has been disclosed.
The partnership positions parking operators as central participants in the broader EV charging infrastructure growth. By leveraging established parking venues, the project facilitates convenient, everyday access to charging for a wide range of users.
This collaboration combines LAZ's extensive site network with Epic's technological framework to create scalable, integrated solutions. The focus on intelligent load management addresses practical concerns for site owners, such as managing energy expenses and grid impacts.
As electric vehicle adoption continues, initiatives like this support expanded charging availability in familiar settings, contributing to smoother transitions for drivers and operators alike. The substantial scale of the planned deployment underscores commitment to meeting evolving mobility needs through practical infrastructure enhancements.
