TESLA DOMINATES FAST-CHARGING SOLUTIONS
In the world of electric vehicles (EVs), Tesla reigns supreme when it comes to fast-charging solutions. With an impressive 2,300 locations across the US and Canada, Tesla continues to expand its network, allowing multiple EV owners to charge their vehicles simultaneously. However, not all Tesla charging stations are equipped with the Magic Dock adapter, which is essential for drivers of models with the CCS Combo 1 port to receive fast and efficient charging for their high-voltage batteries.
ELECTRIFY AMERICA EXPANDS RAPIDLY
Electrify America, a company owned by Volkswagen and born out of the Dieselgate scandal, has made significant strides in the fast-charging market. In February 2020, they celebrated the opening of their 400th DC fast-charging station in North America. Since then, they have more than doubled the number of locations with multiple charging stalls, reaching a total of over 900 stations. Electrify America aims to provide widespread access to fast-charging stations for EV owners.
CHARGEPOINT TARGETS KEY STATES
ChargePoint, another major player in the EV charging industry, has focused its efforts primarily on California, Texas, and Florida. In 2017, they acquired General Electric’s 9,800 dispensers spread throughout the US and have gradually upgraded them. Today, ChargePoint operates over 1,100 charging stations with multiple stalls. They have also formed partnerships with manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz to further expand their network of charging stations.
THE RISE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES
The number of electric vehicles on US roads has surpassed four million, according to the Department of Energy. In 2023 alone, over 1.4 million EVs were added, including approximately 200,000 plug-in hybrids. Surprisingly, 1.2 million Americans chose a battery-electric vehicle as their new car in the same year. The demand for EVs is steadily increasing, highlighting the need for accessible and reliable charging infrastructure.
GROWING PRESSURE ON THE ELECTRICAL GRID
With the growing popularity of EVs, concerns arise regarding the capacity of the national electrical grid to handle the increased demand. However, data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reveals that electricity consumption actually decreased by 1% until the end of November 2023. This decrease can be attributed to the use of more energy-efficient electronics and the adoption of solar panels by many Americans, reducing their reliance on the grid.
CHALLENGES FOR LONG-DISTANCE TRAVEL
Despite the progress made in expanding the charging infrastructure, challenges remain for EV owners who rely on DC fast chargers for long-distance travel. The availability and reliability of these fast chargers can be inconsistent, leading to frustrating experiences for drivers. Even attempts to set records, such as the Cannonball run using the high-speed charging Lucid Air Grand Touring, have been hindered by malfunctioning charging stations. It is clear that improvements are needed to ensure a seamless charging experience for all EV owners.
Photo: Electrify America
The need for more charging infrastructure has never been clearer as the industry-wide switch to Tesla’s charging port, now called the North American Charging Standard – NACS, and Superchargers opening to other EVs gradually improves the situation, at least temporarily.
In 2023, BMW M’s best-selling vehicle was the all-electric i4 M50, showing that even those seeking a premium experience from an established auto manufacturer are willing to ditch the internal combustion engine, despite potential higher insurance costs and punitive fees in certain states like Texas.
ChargePoint reported a 53% increase in the number of charging stations, while Electrify America recorded double the charging sessions in the US and Canada. To manage the increased demand, both Tesla and Electrify America have introduced new fees, such as a congestion fee and reactivated idle fee, respectively, to discourage hogging of charging stalls.
The federal government has offered funds through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program to states, but progress has been slower than desired, with some states making better use of the funds than others. Washington, D.C. has also allocated funds to address broken chargers.
Unfortunately, with four million EVs on the road and counting, the current 170,000 charging stalls are unable to meet the demand, resulting in queues and frustrated drivers. Some EV owners have reported waiting for over an hour to access a charging station.
To address this issue, coordination between the federal government, state agencies, Tesla, Electrify America, ChargePoint, and other stakeholders is crucial to accelerate the deployment of new charging infrastructure. EVs have the potential to benefit the environment, but their popularity may wane if people cannot rely on them for longer journeys or in adverse weather conditions. The time for action is now.
Photo: John Cameron on Unsplash
