EV Charging Stations Make Good Old-Fashioned Horse Sense

Cracker Barrel and eVgo Install Four New EV Fast-Charging Stations in Greater Houston

LEBANON, TN--Oct. 30, 2012: Electric vehicle (EV) owners traveling in and around Houston can get a charge at four Cracker Barrel Old Country Store^® locations.  High-powered rapid charging eVgo^SM Freedom Station^® sites were recently installed by eVgo, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc. at Cracker Barrel^® stores in Kingwood, League City, Pearland and West Houston. The charging stations, available around-the-clock for eVgo network subscribers, are part of NRG's plan to enhance their Texas network and provide more charging options to give greater range confidence to electric car drivers.

"Cracker Barrel has a history of pioneering products and services that meet our guests' needs as they travel the highways and byways across the country," said Cracker Barrel President and Chief Executive Officer Sandra B. Cochran. The first Cracker Barrel^® locations had gasoline pumps out front because founder Dan Evins was a Shell Oil "jobber" who was looking for a way to sell gasoline as well as to offer good food and genuine hospitality.  "The installation of electric vehicle chargers once again allows us to offer travelers a convenient, accessible place to "fill up" their cars, enjoy a meal and shop all in one stop." Travelers are able to fill up in about the same time it takes to order and eat a meal.

Each eVgo Freedom Station at Cracker Barrel includes one DC Fast charger, capable of delivering 50 miles of charge in 15 minutes, and one Level 2 charger that delivers up to 25 miles of range for every hour plugged in.  No other metropolitan area in the country has a greater concentration of DC fast chargers than Houston with 17 currently in operation as NRG continues to build in Texas. In June, NRG installed four eVgo Freedom Station sites at Cracker Barrel stores in Arlington, Burleson, DeSoto and Mesquite.

"We are proud to help make Houston more electric vehicle friendly and to take a leadership role in creating a rapid charging network for electric car drivers," said Arun Banskota, president of eVgo.  "Cracker Barrel's proximity to highways is a natural fit for eVgo Freedom Station sites and offers EV drivers a great place to re-fuel their cars and themselves."