Despite earlier setbacks in the electric vehicle market, new activity in the public charging sector indicates renewed confidence in EV adoption. Rangeway, a California-based startup, is among companies taking a quality-focused approach to charging infrastructure by creating dedicated facilities designed specifically for electric vehicle drivers rather than retrofitting existing locations.
Rangeway’s strategy emphasizes hospitality and customer experience, offering four types of facilities: Trailhead sheltered stations, enclosed lounge-style Waystations, Basecamp facilities, and boutique motel accommodations with off-grid charging capabilities. The company has assembled a technology team including ChargeMate, WattsUp, Juice Serve, and Hywatts to support operations. Hywatts contributes modular power systems that integrate solar generation, battery storage, and hydrogen-ready modules—designed to serve locations with limited grid infrastructure.
Rangeway selected the St. Louis metropolitan area as its initial focus market. While Missouri presents challenges, including a $150 annual EV registration fee, the state shows indicators of growing electric vehicle adoption. St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson has championed vehicle electrification efforts since 2017, and the city has committed to electrifying its municipal fleet. Local utility Ameren offers reduced rates for off-peak EV charging, and auto dealers report increasing EV interest despite Missouri’s mixed market position. Charging station density in the state is highest in St. Louis.
In June, Rangeway announced a joint venture with sustainable building firm LoüTeq to form Rangeway St. Louis, combining the startup’s hospitality-driven network model with LoüTeq’s construction expertise. LoüTeq founder Luke Schuette joined Rangeway as Director of Design and Construction.
Rangeway faces competition from the IONNA charging consortium, which launched a comparable lounge-style network in 2024 with support from major automakers including BMW, GM, and Honda. IONNA announced plans in April to convert and add charging stations at approximately 85 Circle K locations under the “Rechargeries @ Circle K” brand, with initial operations expected later this year and expanded deployment in 2027.