Owning an electric vehicle (EV) is a fantastic experience. EVs are clean, efficient, quiet, and fast. Charging an EV shares some similarities with refuelling an oil-powered car, but the overall experience can differ depending on where you charge. Unfortunately, for many drivers, finding public EV chargers remains a challenge. The rapid growth in EV sales is more than expanding charging infrastructure, creating issues for daily EV drivers.
The EV Sales Boom
In 2023, automobile companies sold nearly 1.2 million all-electric cars in the US, making up over 7% of total new car sales and setting a new national record. Brands that offer excellent battery range, fast charging, and competitive prices are particularly attractive to consumers.
Automobile companies like HyundaiβKia and Ford have seen sales surge, with growth rates of 56% and 86%, respectively, compared to the previous year. This growth in EVs is a key component of efforts to reduce carbon transportation, which is one of the largest contributors to climate pollution.
The Charging Infrastructure Gap
While EV sales are booming, the growth in charging infrastructure has not kept pace. As of February 2024, there were over 61,000 publicly accessible EV charging stations in the US, more than double the number from 2020. However, this is still far from meeting the current demand. Today, there are more than 20 electric cars per charger, highlighting the significant gap in charging availability.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that by 2030, there will be 33 million EVs on US roads, requiring around 28 million charging ports. Most of these (92%) are expected to be private Level 1 and Level 2 chargers at single-family homes. However, there will still be a need for approximately 2.1 million public and private Level 2 chargers at various locations and about 182,000 DC fast chargers at public stations for those without access to off-street parking or for long-distance travel.
The Need for a National Charging Network
To support the growing number of EVs, a robust and reliable national charging network is essential. The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation is working towards creating a network that is convenient, affordable, reliable, and equitable. This network must be capable of supporting nearly half a million EVs by 2030.
Currently, most EV owners charge their vehicles at home, which covers the majority of their charging needs. However, about 20% of US households lack consistent off-street parking, making home charging difficult. For these “garage orphans,” a scalable, long-term solution involves cities and utilities partnering to provide on-street charging infrastructure.
Public Charging Infrastructure
Public charging infrastructure, which includes fast and Level 2 chargers, is vital for EV adoption. Since the introduction of the Inflation Reduction Actβs tax credits, the number of EV charging stations nationwide has increased by 29%. Rural areas have seen a slightly faster growth rate in charging stations compared to urban areas (34% vs. 29%). However, urban areas still account for nearly 90% of all public charging stations in the US.
According to the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), announcements from charging providers, automobile companies, and retailers indicate that 164,000 new DC fast chargers and 1.5 million new Level 2 chargers could be deployed by 2030. With additional support from federal and state governments and utilities, the deployment of charging infrastructure could significantly increase, potentially providing about 225% of the needed public DC fast chargers and about 84% of the needed public and workplace Level 2 chargers.
Conclusion
The growth of EV sales is a positive sign for the future of sustainable transportation. However, to support this growth, the expansion of charging infrastructure must accelerate. A well-developed charging network is essential for the continued adoption of EVs and to ensure that all drivers, regardless of where they live, have access to convenient and reliable charging options. As cities and utilities work together to build this infrastructure, the dream of widespread EV adoption becomes ever more achievable.