EVwire brief: Modal Infrastructure and Autel Energy North America have launched a partnership to bring modular charging-site amenities to Autel's U.S. reseller and distributor network, the companies announced Tuesday.
Through the partnership, Autel's channel partners can offer Modal's modular Pods alongside their EV charging infrastructure, giving charging-site operators options for lounges, restrooms, and food and beverage amenities without relying on traditional brick-and-mortar construction.
James Perry, founder and CEO of Modal, shared his excitement for the partnership:
“We couldn’t be more excited to announce our work with Autel. This partnership reflects a shared vision that the future of EV charging is about more than delivering energy; it’s about creating destinations drivers actively choose to visit.”
A rendering of Modal's standalone Amenity Pod next to an EV charging hub. (Source: Modal)
Thinking of getting an EV, selling yours, or need EV accessories and adapters?
Check out our fresh EVwire EV Deals page for the discounts we've gathered.
Modal currently offers three Pod types designed around different charging-site needs.
The Amenity Pod is a climate-controlled space with Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, refreshments, food and beverage vending, workspace and electrical outlets. It can also include advertising and information screens, while signage, furniture, finishes and other elements can be customized to a host's branding.
A rendering of Modal's standalone Amenity Pod next to a solar-canopied charging hub. (Rendering: Modal)
The Restroom Pod is focused on providing dedicated restroom infrastructure at high-traffic charging locations. Its standard configuration includes two ADA restroom stalls, temperature control, Wi-Fi, digital advertising screens and commercial-grade fixtures and finishes.
Inside Modal's Restroom Pod, per the company's own renderings. And yes, this pod also provides Wi-Fi. (Source: Modal)
The Hybrid Pod combines the two concepts, providing a single ADA restroom stall through an access-controlled lobby alongside seating, high-speed Wi-Fi, food and beverage vending, heating and cooling, advertising screens and wraparound glazing. Modal says the design provides greater visibility and controlled access around the restroom area.
A rendering of Modal's Hybrid Pod, showing the lounge and vending side. (Source: Modal)
Modal is a Fayetteville, Georgia-based startup that operates their pods under managed lease agreements and now offers them for direct sale, with ongoing management available for purchased units.
The company says it's now taking orders for 2026 delivery and is running pilot conversations with prospective sites, and the Autel tie-up is a way to reach far more of those sites than Modal could line up on its own.
An Amenity Pod, rendered next to EV charging stalls. (Source: Modal)
Autel Energy is the charging-hardware arm of Autel, an automotive-tech company founded in 2004 that has since grown its MaxiCharger AC and DC lineup into more than 70 countries. This particular deal is aimed squarely at Autel's US reseller and distributor network, the companies that spec, sell, and install its chargers for site hosts, rather than at Autel operating sites directly.
Arguably the Modal pod travelers would appreciate the most in the middle of an extended journey. (Source: Modal)
By the way, it sure looks to us like you are an EV geek like ourselves.
Which means you belong with us: join 14,400+ reading our newsletters: subscribe
Context:
Modal's partnership with Autel comes as other companies build businesses around the idea that an EV charging site can be more than a row of chargers.
In May, Tesla and bk World opened a new lounge next to 28 Superchargers in Dardilly, near Lyon, France. The 24/7 facility includes indoor seating, coffee machines, snacks, drinks and sanitary facilities, giving drivers a dedicated place to spend their charging session.
The common thread is that businesses are increasingly treating EV charging as a consumer-facing destination. The charging session brings the customer to the site, while coffee, food, restrooms, seating, workspace and other amenities give that customer reasons to stay.
Source: Modal and Autel Energy's joint announcement to EVwire, Modal and Autel Energy
DIG DEEPER: For more charging coverage, check out our Chargingwire. And if you're not already, join 14,400+ EV geeks getting our newsletter: subscribe.
