Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly visible on American streets. Data from Kelly Blue Book indicates over one million EVs were sold in the U.S. last year, marking a first in the country’s history. With new tax incentives for consumers and ongoing federal investment in EV charging infrastructure, 2024 is poised to set another record for EV adoption.
As EV sales grow, charging issues pose a challenge. Lack of accessible and reliable chargers continues to fuel range anxiety. A AAA report found 56% of respondents cited unreliable charging stations as their main concern. Clearly, a better EV charging experience is needed.
The Problem with First-Gen Chargers
First-generation EV chargers prioritized installation over reliability, usability, and discoverability. With the North American Charging Standard (NACS) now the industry norm, next-gen chargers incorporate technology and requirements focused on driver experience.
Usability: A Frictionless Customer-First Charging Experience
Key to EV adoption is an improved charging experience. Traditional chargers require apps, accounts, and preauthorization fees. Next-gen models offer a pay-as-you-go system without extra fees, apps, or accounts, resembling the convenience of traditional gas stations. This seamless experience boosts driver confidence in EVs.
Accessibility & Interoperability
The U.S. needs an accessible EV charging system. Unlike first-gen chargers that required fobs, apps, or cards, next-gen chargers must be compatible with all EV makes and models. Additionally, more EV charging stations are needed at multi-unit dwellings (MUDs). Data from Avison Young shows a surge in multi-unit housing construction. Installing chargers at these locations can accelerate adoption, increase property value, and attract tenants.
Discoverability
With the rise in EV models and diversity of drivers, easily discoverable charging stations are vital to addressing range anxiety. The non-Tesla share of electric car registrations increased last year to 42.6%. However, availability concerns remain a barrier to adoption.
Raising Reliability Standards
Many drivers report out-of-order chargers. A UC Berkeley study found chargers fail 20-30% of the time. Real-time monitoring can improve reliability by quickly addressing outages. Next-gen technology should be Open ADR Alliance certified for direct demand response with major electricity providers, enhancing charger reliability and addressing range anxiety. Machine learning-based balancing can also automatically adjust charging output based on electricity load, maintaining energy balance and increasing reliability.
Enabling the EV Revolution
Sustained government efforts and private funding make the transition to EVs inevitable. Stakeholders must ensure the next generation of chargers prioritizes accessibility, discoverability, interoperability, and reliability to provide a better charging experience and support equitable EV charging across the U.S.
Guest Author: Hooman Shahidi is the Co-founder and CEO of EVPassport, an EV charging hardware and software platform company. Hooman is recognized as an innovator in the EV charging industry, pioneering the first interoperable EV charging network.
Original Story at www.environmentenergyleader.com