The Electric Vehicle Revolution: Charging Infrastructure Expansion in the U.S.

Despite a slowdown in the growth of electric vehicle (EV) sales, the United States is witnessing a remarkable expansion in its charging infrastructure. According to recent data, the country now boasts nearly 8,200 “quick turn EV stations”. This means that for every 15 gas stations, there is at least one DC fast charging station available for EV users.

In the first quarter alone, the network of public DC fast charging stations rose by 7.2%, with 600 new stations switched on across the U.S. As of April 22, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Alternative Fuels Data Center reported a total of 62,545 level 2 and level 3 charging stations nationwide, offering 167,537 EV charging ports.

This robust growth is a clear indication that initiatives like the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program (NEVI) are effectively laying the groundwork for the wider adoption of EVs for years to come. In 2022, the Biden administration announced $5 billion in NEVI funding as a part of the broader Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aiming to improve road transport and infrastructure in the U.S.

Contributing to this expanding charging station boom are convenience store giants such as Buc-ee’s, Wawa, and Flying J’s. These companies are increasingly installing EV chargers across their locations. This aligns with consumer expectations revealed in at least one study, which found that current and potential EV buyers expect charging stations to be equipped with amenities similar to gas stations.

While their EVs are plugged in, consumers want access to restrooms and Wifi, the option of grabbing a snack and a cup of coffee, and even an indoor place to rest—something that’s especially necessary in inclement weather.

Locating a charging station is also set to become easier, thanks to Google. The tech giant will put artificial intelligence to good use, with Google Maps with AI helping users get precise directions to find a charger that’s otherwise hard to navigate.

Research firm BloombergNEF expects companies running charging networks to turn a profit as usage rates hit new records. It estimates that annual global public-charging revenue will increase to $127 billion by 2030—Tesla might account for $7.4 billion of that.

All these developments should help shrink the number of charging deserts in the U.S. and also improve consumer perception about the availability of chargers. As the electric revolution continues, we can expect to see even more changes on the roads of the U.S. and beyond.

======

Source: InsideEVs