In just a few short years, electric vehicles (EVs) have gone from curiosity to cool. In a few more years, they will become the standard — not only as a trend, but also as a legal mandate. With states like California planning to restrict or outright ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles in the near future, there is no better time than now to start preparing for a surge in electric-vehicle charging stations.
Choosing the right tools to meet the needs of your customers is difficult. Luckily, EV Connect has the solution you need to help your company adapt to and evolve with the shifting landscape. Here’s why this is the perfect moment to let EV Connect guide your business into a bright, electrified future.
EVs Are Here to Stay
While EVs may seem like a recent phenomenon, the truth is that vehicles powered by electricity have existed since the birth of the motorcar in the late 19th century. Electric and gas-powered cars were neck and neck in the race to become the industry standard, but the technology needed to make EVs affordable and efficient enough for everyday drivers simply did not exist at that time. Fossil fuel lapped batteries again and again over the next century, until the realities of climate change and uncertainty in global oil production renewed interest in EVs around the turn of the millennium. Additionally, the technology and infrastructure has now advanced and is ready to support widespread adoption.e
The numbers are clear: In 2011, Americans purchased around 17,000 EVs. By 2018, more than 360,000 EVs rolled off the line and onto roads across the country — an increase of over 2,000% in less than a decade. But it’s not just consumer interest that is driving this shift: Both state and federal legislation increasingly favors EVs over traditional gas-powered vehicles. In September 2020, California announced it will ban the sale of all gas-powered vehicles by 2035, and automakers around the world are committing to all-electric fleets in the near future.
At EV Connect, we have already served more than 100,000 EV drivers around the country, and we manage 1 million EV transactions per year. We are scaling up our services and software to handle the coming cascade of EVs in the USA.
What Is the New Standard?
One of the main reasons that gas-powered vehicles took control of the roads in the 20th century is the relative ease of using gasoline. Technological advancements made liquid fuel safe to transport and store across the nation, and early automakers realized that a quick fill-up at a pump station was vastly easier than charging dozens of batteries at a time when the electrical infrastructure was still catching up to the rapid expansion of roadways from sea to shining sea. For over a century, drivers have had pretty much the exact same options at a gas station: Pick gasoline or diesel; select Regular, Premium or Super; and try to remember which side of your vehicle has the gas cap so you can start filling up.
EVs are different. A decade ago, you could count the number of distinct EV models available in the U.S. on one hand. Now, there are scores of plug-in hybrids, as well as fuel-cell and battery-powered cars, SUVs, trucks, buses, motorcycles and scooters, with more and more new models introduced every year. Additionally, while you will always have to visit a gas station to fill up, charging a car is possible in any parking lot that’s willing to house the EV charging stations— from apartments to office complexes and shopping centers.
The Roadmap for the Future
We may know the final destination, but unless your GPS has a built-in crystal ball, it can be a challenge to prepare for what’s ahead. That’s why EV Connect prioritizes adaptability. We’ve tested our software platform with dozens of charging station manufacturers to help give parking systems, hotels, apartment buildings, municipalities, fleet vehicle dispatchers and more the tools they need to transition to future EV charging standards.
The EV Connect Network gives our clients control over who accesses charging stations and the rate drivers pay, while providing the performance metrics to better understand the needs of their customers. For businesses that are ready to make their first investments in EV charging station technology, EV Connect can help assess your infrastructure needs, identify your charging station hardware, and then deploy and test your stations to ensure your customers are always satisfied with their charging experience.
Powerful Progress
The EV market has grown exponentially over the past decade, and infrastructure has struggled to keep pace. With no signs that this is slowing down, it is clear that now is the moment to start investing in the future of your business. You don’t have to predict the future, because EV Connect will empower you to adapt to any and all EV charging standards. Reach out today and let EV Connect help your business navigate the road to success.
References:
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https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-09-23/gavin-newsom-fracking-ban-california-zero-emissions-cars
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https://afdc.energy.gov/data/10567
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https://www.evconnect.com/blog/celebrating-10-years/
