Powering the Future: How Electrify California and the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce Helped Joseph Kwong Charge Ahead with EVEN Recharge

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Joseph Kwong has always been drawn to innovation. He moved to the Bay Area as a teenager and later earned an engineering degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Kwong’s career began in the electronic payment industry, where he developed payment systems. But his passion for sustainability and technology ultimately led him into the electric vehicle (EV) sector.

As one of the early EV adopters, Kwong has been driving electric for over a decade, motivated by his understanding of the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of EVs. However, he identified two key obstacles to widespread EV adoption: the challenge of establishing a profitable business model for EV charging stations and the complex regulatory process required to deploy EV infrastructure.

In 2019, Kwong founded EVEN Recharge to simplify EV charging and make it a viable business venture, demonstrating that EV charging can offer a solid return on investment. His goal was to make EV charging more accessible and easier to deploy. However, just as his business was beginning to gain traction, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted operations. By 2021, EVEN Recharge was back on track, and Joseph successfully launched an off-grid, solar-powered EV charging station, a renewable energy hub equipped with solar panels and backup batteries in Bakersfield and other cities within California.

While researching EV news online in 2023, Joseph discovered the Electrify California program and the Sacramento MBDA Business Center, operated by the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (CalAsian Chamber). Electrify California offers an incubator track focused on advancing clean energy initiatives. Joseph applied to join the cohort, which proved transformative for his business. Through the program, EVEN Recharge received one-on-one consulting on capital readiness and clean energy adoption. Joseph gained critical connections, expert guidance, and exposure to an invaluable network of industry leaders, advisors, and clients.

With the resources and support from the CalAsian Chamber, Joseph was able to secure $500,000 in capital, which enabled EVEN Recharge to install a mobile EV charging hub in Del Paso Heights, Sacramento, directly contributing to the city’s clean energy goals. The Electrify California program provided tailored training and connected Joseph with local manufacturer Leadman in Santa Clara to scale production. The Sacramento MBDA Business Center team also assisted with certifications and resources for government projects, broadening EVEN Recharge’s access to additional opportunities.

Today, EVEN Recharge is focused on expanding EV charging use cases in commercial spaces, the security field, and off-road locations. The support of the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce and the Sacramento MBDA Business Center has empowered Joseph’s vision for a more electrified future. Joseph Kwong’s journey is a powerful example of the impact of mentorship, networking, and a shared commitment to a sustainable future. With EVEN Recharge, he’s not just powering vehicles, he’s powering change.

If you’re interested in learning more about the no-cost Electrify California program, visit calasiancc.org/electrify-california.