How are new JOLT locations created? Interview with CEO Jörg Lohr

City center, supermarket parking lot, gas station, restaurant, or a highly frequented hub: a good charging location often seems at first glance to be “just there.” In practice, there is a clear process behind it involving data, technology, and collaboration.
In this interview, Managing Director and CEO Jörg Lohr explains how the selection of JOLT charging station locations works, which criteria really matter, and what is important when bringing ultra-fast charging into the city.

Why location selection at JOLT is so important

If you are planning public charging infrastructure, the location is not just an address, but the biggest lever for usage, utilization, and satisfaction.

Question: Mr. Lohr, what is the core of JOLT’s location selection?

Jörg Lohr: No one wants to drive across the city for a charging session. A charging station should therefore always be located where people already spend time: while shopping, eating, on the way to work, or in busy districts.

Question: Does that mean you plan more based on user demand than on “available space”?

Jörg Lohr: Exactly. A space is only interesting if it is practical from the drivers’ perspective. We consistently think from the user’s point of view: good accessibility, clear access, safe surroundings.

The most important criteria for location selection

Location selection therefore does not follow intuition, but a mix of criteria. It is always about balancing user value, technical feasibility, and partner suitability.

Question: How do you measure whether a location has enough demand?

Jörg Lohr: We analyze various categories. These include traffic flows, surrounding usage, dwell times, and typical charging occasions. A location may appear central and still make little sense if the dwell time is not suitable or access is complicated.

Question: What role does “time” play in this?

Jörg Lohr: A big one. Many prefer to charge quickly for 10 to 15 minutes and then continue driving. That’s what we mainly optimize for.

Question: Are there typical no-gos?

Jörg Lohr: Bottlenecks, confusing traffic layouts, permanently blocked areas. Locations where operations constantly cause conflicts are also difficult. However, we often work with the responsible local authorities to make things work better.

Question: Any other important points? For example, in terms of charging performance?

Jörg Lohr: Depending on the system, we are talking about high-power charging up to 300 kW and beyond. What’s important is that the power can be reliably accessed and that the location remains practical for operation and maintenance.

This is how the process works: from idea to JOLT location

Many people imagine location development as linear. In reality, it is a clear process with loops: evaluate, prioritize, coordinate, implement.

Question: How does the JOLT location selection process start in practice?

Jörg Lohr: Usually with a screening. We look at potential locations, evaluate them based on our criteria, and prioritize them. The goal is to identify early which locations have real potential and which would be too risky to implement.

Question: What is more important: speed or perfection?

Jörg Lohr: Both. We have to be fast, but not rushed. A location that later fails due to approval issues costs time for everyone involved. That’s why we invest early in thorough evaluation.

Question: You mentioned approvals. How strongly are municipalities involved?

Jörg Lohr: Very strongly, especially in cities. We work in partnership because every city has its own requirements. Topics such as traffic management, safety, design, and regulations have to fit.

Question: And what do outsiders often underestimate?

Jörg Lohr: How many details have to be clarified before construction begins. From routing and signage to the question of how the location will function in everyday use. But experience shows that solutions can always be found.

What site partners should know about JOLT location selection

Many locations arise because operators actively approach JOLT. For these partners, the key questions are: What is expected, and what does JOLT handle?

Question: What is the typical model if someone wants to work with you?

Jörg Lohr: In short: you provide the space, we handle planning, financing, implementation, and operation. Our goal is to keep the effort for partners as low as possible. It should be worthwhile for everyone.

Question: What is the biggest advantage from a partner’s perspective?

Jörg Lohr: Many partners want charging infrastructure, but not a new construction project. The biggest advantage, in my view, is that thanks to our battery-buffered technology, we can operate at many urban locations with a connection to the existing low-voltage grid. This makes it possible to realize sites where traditional high-power charging would otherwise require significantly more grid capacity and construction effort.

We also bring the know-how, plan and finance the installation, and handle operation as well as maintenance. You provide the space. For many partners, this creates noticeable added value, as additional customers come to the location and customers stay longer on site.

Question: Mr. Lohr, finally: What would you like to say to companies and site partners considering charging infrastructure?

Jörg Lohr: I would say: see charging infrastructure as a real opportunity. Anyone who wants to future-proof a location today must think about mobility. What matters is that the solution fits into the daily lives of your customers and that operations run reliably. That is exactly what we stand for at JOLT.

If you have a site that is easily accessible and already generates traffic, a conversation is almost always worthwhile. We quickly and transparently check whether the location is suitable and then take care of planning, implementation, and operation.

In the end, it should be simple for you and noticeably better for drivers!