EV innovator i-charging USA will celebrate five years at Curiosity Lab next month, a milestone for the US division of the Portugal-based company. Since arriving in 2021, the i-charging USA team has grown its presence at the Lab, collaborated with other occupants, and utilized the urban infrastructure of Peachtree Corners to validate its DC fast-charging technology.
The company’s newest product is the AiO 500 kilowatt-output all-in-one EV charging station, designed to deliver fast-charging with a compact footprint that’s optimized for a range of locations. Those include traditional fueling stations that are converting to EV charging, highway rest stops, and dense urban geographies. All have one thing in common: a need to provide reliable high-speed charging where space is at a premium. AiO 500 is expected to be certified for the US market in the second half of 2027.
However, as anyone who has ever charged an EV on a road trip knows, not all DC fast chargers are created equal. What makes i-charging’s system unique is its sustainable technology. i-charging designs its solutions to grow and expand with EV user demand, avoiding costly ‘rip and replace’ obsolete technology. The company manufactures a lineup of charging stations and supporting technologies that function with both light and heavy-duty vehicles in Porto, Portugal.
That appetite for improvement was one of the key factors that brought i-charging to Curiosity Lab when the company was establishing a presence in the U.S.
“When we moved in, we were really attracted to the innovation,” U.S. CEO Jeff Cohen said about the company’s decision to set up shop at Curiosity Lab in September of 2021. “‘Curiosity’ is literally in the name, and it offered a space that was open and flexible and that could change and grow with our needs.”
He added that being part of the Curiosity Lab community has been a terrific opportunity for the company over the course of its occupancy, citing several networking events and opportunities to meet other business leaders who are advancing sustainable technology and addressing climate change.
The company is in the midst of an important year as 2026 crosses the halfway point and i-charging prepares for its sixth year at the Lab. Cohen noted that proposals are now moving toward up to 20 installed projects in the Metro Atlanta area and across the state of Georgia. Beyond i-charging’s home region, installations are coming online in New Mexico, Colorado and Southern California. The company has its eyes on Canada, both fast growing and committed to environmental responsibility.
An important factor in testing technology at Curiosity Lab has been the variety of EVs that come to Peachtree Corners and pass through the Innovation Center. The i-charging USA management group wasted no time in installing a charging station onsite and immediately had plenty of EVs in need of recharging and a chance to fine-tune the technology. “Interoperability” is essential for a widespread public fast-charging system to succeed; chargers must be able to pair with EVs that have different battery sizes and charging rates, as well as multiple software configurations. From a user/driver experience perspective, i-charging doesn’t want customers to endure frustrations when they plug in.
When it comes to recommending that other high-tech companies take a closer look at calling Curiosity Lab home, the company’s experience across its team has been so positive that employees consider themselves active advocates for the Lab. Some cite a “nerd of the industry” mentality, which means that if you are deeply invested in the tech you are developing, you’re going to find other companies at Curiosity Lab that are equally passionate.
“It’s great to be around like-minded people,” Senior Service Engineer Courtney Hall said. “If you’re thinking about it, you should definitely become one of the building occupants.”
Another compelling reason to become an occupant is the ability of Curiosity Lab to support an early-stage company’s growth as it scales. For i-charging, occupying a few desks back in 2021 has expanded to filling a full office suite. Beyond the extensive testing infrastructure provided by Peachtree Corners, the Lab itself offers a way for companies to simplify their operations by consolidating everything they need in one place – from connectivity, to frequent networking events, to a single fixed cost for overhead expenses that companies usually pay for.
Ultimately, however, the benefits of Curiosity Lab lean heavily in the direction of working with like-minded innovators in an open environment that encourages engagement and interaction.
“We love to see all the creative people around the Lab who are looking to learn new things,” Sales Account Executive Colson Rivers said. “It’s a great place to be for thinking about the future.”
