Slow build up of EV chargers in the US may actually be a good thing

[JACK AYLMER]

THE U.S. IS RUNNING INTO A SHORTAGE OF E-V CHARGERS.

AS THE NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES ON AMERICAN ROADS GROWS, THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT THEM HASN’T EXPANDED AT THE SAME RATE.

BACK IN 20-16 – THERE WAS ONE CHARGER FOR EVERY SEVEN E-VS IN THE US. 

NOW THAT RATIO IS MORE LIKE ONE CHARGER FOR EVERY 26 ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

AND IT’S FAR REMOVED FROM THE GLOBAL AVERAGE, WHICH SITS AT ABOUT 11 CARS PER CHARGER. 

NOT TO MENTION NATIONS LIKE JAPAN, FRANCE AND CHINA – WHICH HAS 1 CHARGER FOR EVERY 8 E-VS.

RANGE ANXIETY IS LISTED AS A PRIMARY BARRIER FOR MANY CONSIDERING E-V ADOPTION. 

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS TRIED TO ADDRESS IT – BUT PROGRESS HAS BEEN SLOW. 

IN 20-21, THE GOVERNMENT PLEDGED SEVEN-AND-A-HALF BILLION DOLLARS TO BUILDING OUT MORE FAST CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

ALMOST THREE YEARS LATER, ALL THAT MONEY HAS PRODUCED ONLY SEVEN CHARGING STATIONS AND 30 INDIVIDUAL CHARGERS.

THE NUMBERS PAINT A TROUBLING PICTURE, BUT SLOW AND STEADY PROGRESS MAY BE A PLUS SIDE TO THE CHARGING DILEMMA. 

A LOT OF DIFFERENT E-VS IN THE US HAVE CHARGE PORTS OF DIFFERENT SHAPES AND SIZES.

BUT STANDARDIZATION IS ON THE WAY.

A LARGE NUMBER OF AUTOMAKERS ARE COMMITTING TO MAKING VEHICLES COMPATIBLE WITH TESLA’S SUPERCHARGER NETWORK.

SO, WHEN THE MAJORITY OF CHARGERS THOSE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WENT TOWARDS FUNDING ARE FINALLY BUILT OUT- MOST EVS WILL ALREADY BE ON THE SAME SYSTEM.

IT’S WHY OFFICIALS AT THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON CLEAN TRANSPORTATION STILL BELIEVE THE U.S. IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK TO HIT ITS CHARGING GOALS.

OVER THE NEXT 8 YEARS, THEY EXPECT THERE WILL BE ENOUGH OF THIS INFRASTRUCTURE BUILT UP TO MEET THE NEEDS OF AMERICAN DRIVERS.

TO STAY IN THE LOOP ON THE STATE OF U.S. EV CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE, DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS MOBILE APP AND SIGN UP FOR ALERTS FROM ME- JACK AYLMER- TO KEEP YOU PLUGGED IN.