®Common questions
Still have one? Ask us, or send your site plans and we’ll walk through the numbers.
Driving an EV? Find a Curbstar or get driver support.
Power and the utility
Does Curbstar require a new transformer?
It depends on the project. If any transformer near the property has spare capacity, a new transformer is likely unnecessary. We will work with your GC and utility to find out if a new transformer is necessary. Even when a new transformer is necessary, our total cost of deployment is probably around $10k less expensive per pedestal.
Does feeding from the transformer add load to it?
No more than feeding from the building would. The power comes through the same transformer either way. The real question is whether the transformer has enough physical connection points (taps) for the number of pedestals you want. That's a question for your GC and the utility.
Will our utility accept the meter socket?
Every Curbstar is built to your local utility’s meter socket specifications using a utility approved meter socket, so it goes in like any other metered service.
Curbstar and other approaches
Any other providers with self-metered chargers?
No. Our design is patented.
Can I use another product with a unistrut meter and panel nearby?
Yes. Meters and panels can be deployed on a bare framework nearby and feed a competitive solution. But it won’t reduce your overall costs, and it simply sets the unistrut as your electrical chokepoint that needs to be upgraded when usage grows.
Can Curbstar be building fed?
Yes. In fact we can deploy a wall mounted version of Curbstar that lacks the meter socket and panel infrastructure.
We already ran conduit from the building. Is that wasted?
It's spent either way. What matters is what's left to spend. Building-side upgrades and long trenching are where building-fed projects usually get expensive. Send us the electrical plans and we'll show you the remaining cost both ways.
Buying, installing and owning
How long until we have hardware?
8 to 10 weeks from a signed agreement.
Who pulls permits and does the install?
Your local electrical contractor or GC. We supply the pedestal, a pad template with exact mounting and stub-up locations, delivery, and network turn-up. We don't pull permits or schedule inspections.
What does it cost to own Curbstar each year?
We charge no annual cloud or software fee like our competitors. Competitors also routinely keep 10% of revenue. We keep the greater of $50 a month or 10% of charging revenue for running payments, connectivity and support. The rest of the charging revenue goes to the equipment owner (usually the property owner).
For drivers
The charger will not start a session
Check that the connector is fully seated, then restart the session in the app. If it still fails, report the unit ID from the front panel and we will look at it remotely.
How much does a session cost?
Pricing is set per site and shown in the app before you start. You pay for the energy you use.
Someone is parked in the space and not charging
Parking enforcement is up to the property or the municipality. Tell us where it keeps happening and we will raise it with the site.
Can I get a receipt?
Session receipts are in the app under your history.