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Bill Ferro’s road trips in his electric BMW i3 were a test of preparedness. He had to pack a 50-foot extension cord, a blanket for heating emergencies, and a spreadsheet of backup plans for unpredictable charging stations. There was one incident where he had to rush at midnight to find an alternative charger due to a malfunctioning plug.
Today, Ferro drives his Tesla without worrying about running out of power. This convenience and peace of mind are what will ultimately convince Americans to switch to electric vehicles. The public charging experience has improved significantly. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the number of charging ports in America has doubled since 2018. Major companies like Walmart, Shell, Subway, and Mercedes-Benz are entering the market. Ford has also announced compatibility with Tesla’s charging network from 2025.
However, Ferro, the founder of EVSession, a data platform tracking charger reliability, recognizes that these improvements are insufficient for the future. As more Americans transition to electric vehicles, they will need a reliable and extensive charging infrastructure. EVs are no longer niche vehicles for early adopters or environmentalists; they are becoming practical family cars. Drivers will demand the same level of convenience and reliability they are used to.
In short, the success of reducing carbon emissions from cars hinges on the availability of public chargers. Currently, drivers who want to contribute to sustainability may worry about access to charging networks in their area or along their travel routes. “Public charging is the biggest obstacle to mass adoption,” says Ferro. “Five years ago, it was about range, but now it’s the infrastructure that is deterring potential EV owners.”
Having spent a decade testing and writing about cars, I have witnessed the growth of electric vehicles and the ongoing challenges they face. Five years ago, finding a charging station in New York for the Chevrolet Bolt EV took up a significant portion of my day. Now, there are four public charging stations within walking distance of my Brooklyn apartment. However, waiting for available charging stalls or dealing with gas car drivers who occupy EV parking spots remain common obstacles. Traveling long distances in an EV, except for Teslas with their extensive Supercharger network, still requires careful planning and a touch of luck. Broken chargers, slow charging speeds, and proprietary payment apps are additional frustrations. The scarcity of chargers exacerbates these issues.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law implemented by the Biden administration offers some relief. The government will distribute $7.5 billion in grants for EV charging infrastructure, providing a significant boost to the private sector, which must meet stringent reliability, user interaction, and accessibility requirements. The aim is to establish a national network of chargers that are universally reliable and compatible with any electric vehicle.
While these grants encourage private companies to step up and seize the market opportunity, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to match the increasing number of EVs on the road. In the meantime, charging infrastructure will go through growing pains. Presently, most EV owners primarily charge their vehicles at home, and their daily driving needs are easily met. However, challenges arise when it comes to shared charging in multi-unit buildings or charging on city streets. Long-distance travel poses even more significant challenges.
Until a comprehensive charging network covers the entire nation, a new generation of EV owners may find themselves waiting at limited charging stalls during road trips, dealing with complex payment apps, encountering broken chargers, or struggling to charge conveniently away from home. These concerns have contributed to a growing number of consumers expressing reluctance to purchase an EV, despite attractive tax incentives and subsidies.
Ryan Mackenzie, an EV owner with both a Tesla Model Y and a Volkswagen ID.4, knows the frustrations firsthand. He relies on different charging apps like Electrify America, PlugShare, and Tesla’s app. While Tesla’s network is reliable, nationwide options are limited. Electrify America, for example, can be unreliable at times. Inconsistencies and broken chargers are common complaints. Older providers like ChargePoint also face criticism for their maintenance and repair policies. If a ChargePoint charger is broken, it’s ultimately the responsibility of the property owner to have it fixed.
Broken chargers pose a significant challenge even in the San Francisco Bay Area, where electric vehicles are abundant. Despite these challenges, EVs continue to serve the daily needs of most drivers effectively. As EV adoption increases, the focus should be on improving charging infrastructure to accommodate a broader range of charging scenarios—especially shared charging in multi-unit buildings and convenient charging options for long-distance travel.
The Biden administration’s grants offer hope for a more reliable charging network. However, it will take time to achieve a seamless experience for all EV owners. In the meantime, continued efforts are needed from both the public and private sectors to support the growth and accessibility of EV charging infrastructure.
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