This website uses cookies to enhance your user experience, analyze performance, and to optimize our ads on social media and third party websites. Further information is available in our Cookie Policy.
San Francisco, February 18, 2021 – Volta Industries, Inc. (Volta), an industry leader in commerce-centric electric vehicle (EV) charging networks, announced today that it has named Drew Bennett as Senior Vice President of Network Operations. Bennett previously served as Head of Global Charging Infrastructure at Tesla.
In his new role, Bennett will oversee the site design, installation and construction of Volta’s charging stations, as well as manage supply chain and field operations. He primarily will focus on the continued growth and quality of the company’s extensive EV charging network in the United States.
Bennett brings more than a decade of experience working in various EV, clean energy, and climate-related capacities. While at Tesla, he managed daily operations of the company’s global charging business, including customer experience, product launches and product innovation workflows. He was responsible for customer revenue, product functionality, energy supply contracts and construction streamlining.
“Drew is one of the rare individuals who has done an exceptional job of shepherding a charging network from nascency to maturity,” said Scott Mercer, Founder and CEO of Volta. “His talent and proven track record will be tremendous assets in our mission to deliver a re-imagined fueling infrastructure.”
Unique to the EV market, Volta's business model centers around evolving spending habits caused by the move to electric vehicles by building a charging infrastructure that reinforces desired behaviors at each location. Volta's charging stations feature large eye-catching digital displays that function as a sophisticated media network, providing brands a way to reach millions of shoppers moments before they enter a store. These sponsor-supported charging stations provide energy to customers who are able to plug in their vehicles where and when they shop. Volta's business partners who choose to have Volta charging stations installed report an increase in spend, dwell time and engagement on site. Currently located in 23 states and over 200 municipalities, Volta's approach has gained significant acceptance and penetration in the market.
“Every day, more U.S. consumers recognize the EV revolution is at hand,” said Bennett. “I believe Volta's model is unique, providing a closer and more valuable interaction between consumers and the businesses that host charging stations. I couldn’t be more excited to put my experience to work to help take Volta to its next stage of growth.”
Prior to Tesla, Bennett worked as a regulatory analyst for customer-facing energy efficiency and renewables programs at Xcel Energy and in various roles at the Izaak Walton League of America and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Accustomed to evolutions in policy and consumer preference, he specializes in balancing optimization with continuous change management and innovation.
About Volta
For over a decade, Volta has been building a nationwide electric vehicle charging network to drive the world forward. Named after Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the electric battery, Volta's award-winning charging stations benefit brands, consumers, and real-estate locations by providing valuable advertising space to businesses and free charging to drivers. Strategically located in places where consumers already spend their time and money, Volta's chargers are among the most used electric vehicle charging stations in the United States. Headquartered in San Francisco, Volta is bringing to communities the means of building a sustainable fueling network for the 21st century. To learn more, visit https://voltacharging.com
In February 2021, Volta and Tortoise Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE: SNPR), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company with a strategic focus on energy sustainability and decarbonizing transportation, announced they entered into a business combination agreement. Upon the closing of the transaction, which remains subject to customary closing conditions, the combined entity will be named Volta Inc. and remain on the New York Stock Exchange under the new ticker symbol “VLTA”.
