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The Importance of a Reliable EV Charging Infrastructure

February 14, 2023 • Zachary Amos

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As governments worldwide set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reach carbon neutrality, the push for more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road becomes more pronounced.  However, as more consumers purchase EVs, what happens when these vehicles run out of range? Some drivers have EV chargers at home, while others rely on public charging stations. This is where the importance of a reliable EV charging infrastructure comes into the picture.

An Increasing Number of EVs on U.S. Roads

According to Statista, around 11.3 million EVs were in use around the globe in 2021. In the coming years, that figure will continue to skyrocket, putting more drivers behind the wheels of EVs than ever before.

Virtually every automotive company is designing and producing EVs — household names like Toyota and Honda to luxury brands such as Audi and BMW are all emerging with new EV models. While EV adoption is steadily increasing, it seems as though EV charging infrastructure is not following suit. 

The State of EV Charging Infrastructure in 2023

The United States currently has around 57,500 public charging stations, according to the U.S. Alternative Fuels Data Center Fueling Station Locator. While this figure may seem high, it should be higher based on the number of EVs on the road. 

The federal government is taking steps to bolster EV infrastructure, as seen in the recent passing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The new law provides around $7.5 billion total to develop the country’s charging infrastructure and make it so EV drivers can access several public charging stations. 

Companies need to place charging stations in common areas, such as along major highways and near workplaces, so it’s convenient for drivers to recharge.

Why is EV Charging Infrastructure Important?

There’s high demand for publicly available EV charging stations to be installed nationwide. Despite several charging networks, such as EVgo, ChargePoint and Plugshare, existing to meet demand, there’s still insufficient charging power to meet the increasing EV adoption rates.

Without an adequate number of charging stations around the country, it becomes much more difficult for EV owners to charge their vehicles. Think about how easy it is to refuel traditional cars with internal combustion engines (ICEs). It takes only a few minutes and there are numerous gas stations to choose from in most developed regions.

EV charging infrastructure is critically important if the federal government wants more EVs on the road. If there are no developments in charging infrastructure, it’s less likely that people will want to spend their money on EVs. More stations are needed, and they need to be placed equitably, so people from all walks of life can charge their EVs.

The Future of EV Charging in the U.S.

EV charging infrastructure has and will continue to play a major role in EV adoption rates. But will more EV consumers boost charging infrastructure, or will it occur the other way around? If EV charging infrastructure improved, would more consumers purchase EVs?

These and other questions will continue circulating until more EV charging stations are implemented. In the next few years, expect more charging stations to appear around town. This will help keep the nation on track to reduce its carbon footprint by 2030.

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