While embarking on his annual summer road trip through the midwest, Brad Campbell, a computer science professor, observed a significant increase in the number of electric vehicle (EV) drivers at charging stations. Campbell, who has been making the 1,000-mile round trip from Virginia to Michigan since 2018, noticed a shift from being the only EV driver at charging stations to encountering more and more fellow EV drivers in recent years. However, Campbell also expressed the need for more charging options, especially at fast-charging stations that can replenish a car battery in approximately 30 minutes.
Campbell’s experience reflects the current state of EVs in the US. While it is now possible for a limited number of drivers to take road trips in an EV, achieving widespread adoption will require a significant expansion of public charging infrastructure. Failure to keep up with the growth in EV sales could create a bottleneck, hindering the future of EV adoption and negatively impacting emissions reduction efforts.
The US has seen a sharp increase in EV sales over the past few years, with sales surpassing milestones more quickly than ever before. However, the growth in EV charging infrastructure has not kept pace. To meet the targets set by the Biden administration, which aims for half of all new passenger car sales to be zero-emission vehicles by 2030, there is a need for an extensive charging network. The White House has called for 500,000 public chargers, including those at workplaces and along highways, but currently, there are only around 150,000 public chargers in the US.
While some states have managed to develop EV chargers in line with EV adoption, others are struggling to catch up. As a result, the gap between the number of EV chargers and EVs is at risk of widening. This discrepancy poses challenges for the industry, including charger unreliability, an uncertain business model, and inadequate electric grids in certain areas. Charging stations may also need to provide additional amenities such as restrooms and WiFi for drivers waiting for their cars to charge.
Unlike refueling a gas-powered vehicle, charging an EV battery can take significant time, ranging from 20 minutes to an hour for fast-charging and even longer for slower charging ports. This has led to the classic “chicken and egg” problem for EV charging companies, as they must invest in developing charging networks without guaranteed widespread adoption.
To address the need for more charging locations, automakers are forming partnerships and building infrastructure collectively. Companies like Ford, GM, and Volvo are adopting Tesla’s charging connector design, allowing other carmakers to access Tesla’s extensive charging network. Tesla has also committed to opening its chargers to all EVs by the end of 2024. However, expanding EV connectivity in rural areas and places with low EV adoption rates remains a significant challenge.
The Biden administration aims to improve access to EV charging through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program. This program seeks to build fast-charging stations every 50 miles along designated highways across the US. The federal government has allocated $5 billion in funding for this initiative as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. An additional $2.5 billion is available in grants to support rural charging and improve EV charging access.
While progress is being made, achieving the goal of 495,000 chargers by 2030 will require a substantial investment of $39 billion. Every state, including those with low EV ownership, has applied for funding under the NEVI program. However, some states, like Wyoming, have expressed concerns about the challenges of operating isolated charging stations in sparsely populated areas.
Nevertheless, there are glimpses of what fully functional EV charging infrastructure could look like. Some drivers, like Anshul Gupta, have already experienced the convenience of well-placed Tesla charging stations, which allowed them to travel without changing their course or losing time waiting for a charge. These positive experiences highlight the potential for a future where EV charging is seamless and widely available.
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