Answer extracted from the The Pitch podcast — listen to the full episode below.
Why are detachable cable EV chargers more reliable in public spaces?
It's Electric is the only detachable cable solution in North America, and this design eliminates cables from the curb when vehicles are not charging, preventing the single most common failure point on public chargers: cable damage from cuts, breaks, or vandalism. The approach creates a cleaner aesthetic for residential neighborhoods while solving a reliability problem that has plagued the industry.
The curb problem that cables create
Public EV chargers are rapidly deployed across urban areas, but most traditional designs leave cables exposed and vulnerable when vehicles drive away. Cable damage is the leading cause of charger failure in cities, whether from accidental cuts during maintenance, intentional vandalism, or simple wear from weather and foot traffic.
Detachable cable architecture solves this by storing the cable out of sight entirely. When a vehicle unplugs and drives away, there's nothing left on the curb but a sleek charging unit—no dangling cables, no trip hazards, no exposed wiring to damage.
Why this matters for urban adoption
As explained in the episode, detachable cables are already standard practice in Europe, but they represent a breakthrough innovation for the United States market. The approach isn't just about durability—it addresses a fundamental aesthetic and practical barrier to neighborhood acceptance.
Residential areas in major cities are often the most critical deployment zones. Neighbors object to permanent street furniture that looks cluttered or industrial. A clean curb with no cables in sight makes public charging feel less intrusive, easing local opposition and permitting processes that often slow down projects by months.
"We like to say that we're the disco and sunshine of EV charging, and we're trying to make things just better and not shitty."
Tia Gordon — Co-founder, It's Electric. Gordon's background includes technology work on the 9-11 Memorial and Museum of the World Trade Center, where she managed approximately 200 layers of embedded technology. She founded It's Electric during the pandemic with a cardboard and rubber prototype, won $300,000 through Hyundai's Open EV Innovation Challenge, and has since raised $7 million in non-dilutive funding and a $6.5 million seed round co-led by Uber and fail-up.
For a deeper look at how It's Electric solves the equally critical challenge of powering chargers when utility infrastructure isn't available, listen to the episode where Gordon explains the company's building-powered charging model.
Key takeaways
- Detachable cables eliminate the leading failure point of public chargers: exposed cable damage from cuts, vandalism, or weather.
- The design keeps curbs visually clean and less industrial, reducing neighborhood opposition to public charging infrastructure.
- It's Electric is the first detachable cable charger available in North America, bringing a proven European standard to the U.S. market.
- Cleaner aesthetics and higher reliability together address two major barriers to rapid urban deployment.
See also
How can curbside electric vehicle chargers be powered in cities where utility infrastructure is insufficient?
It's Electric designed chargers powered by spare capacity in buildings rather than direct utility connections. The solution uses accessible power already present in the urban environment, avoiding expensive utility infrastructure upgrades.
What is the environmental impact Ventrix claims for each ton of CO2 processed through its units?
Ventrix reports that every ton recycled through its unit saves approximately 1.1 tons equivalent of CO2. This comes from reducing direct emissions through the recycling process itself.
What are the key drivers of CO2 market volatility according to Ventrix?
The main drivers of CO2 market volatility are geopolitical conflicts affecting fuel availability for transport, making it difficult to move CO2, and rising regulatory uncertainty in key markets.