ARCHITECTURE | ENGINEERING | CONSTRUCTION
Photos courtesy of Rove
Getting a Charge in Orange County When fueling a gas auto, the refill usually is done in a matter of minutes, allowing the driver a quick experience. Recharging an electric vehicle, on the other hand, takes at least 20 minutes and even longer, leaving the driver with one question: What do I do while I’m waiting? One answer has just opened at 2666 Harbor Blvd in Costa Mesa, Calif., where Driver Special Projects Group (Driver SPG) has opened a large-scale Rove EV charging station that is as much a retail experience as a service area. The project is Driver SPG’s second with Rove, which incorporates a hospitality model to accommodate the charging time for all electric vehicles. Rove’s 55,384-square-foot Costa Mesa location brings much-needed EV infrastructure, a mini Gelson’s market, lounging and free Wi-Fi that addresses an evolving need for innovative charging stations. “The demand for more charging stations across Southern California is high,” said Mike Sosa, vice president at Driver SPG, an affiliate of builder C.W. Driver Companies. “Rove ’s charging stations provide a hospitality experience that keeps drivers safe, satisfied and engaged.” Rove Costa Mesa blends a variety of construction types. New construction was completed on the charging station through the implementation of 40 DC fast chargers with North American Charging Standard (NACS), Charging Combined System (CCS) and Charge for moving (CHAdeMO) plugs, which serve all types of battery electric vehicles.
84 MANN REPORT | MAY 2026
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