Electric vehicle (EV) production and sales are surging forward, and consumers are rapidly embracing the change. The only question now is, how quickly can we pave the way for this to become the dominant form of personal transportation?
There are many pieces needed to complete the puzzle, but one of the most important ones is a reliable EV charging infrastructure. Without confidence that they can refuel their electric cars as reliably as their gas-powered vehicles, consumers will be reluctant to embrace the change.
Business and property owners considering installing EV charging networks are already thinking ahead about how to face this challenge and stay competitive. However, they must consider not only how to get electricity to their employees and customers, but how to ensure charging station reliability in the process.
The Growing Demand for Electric Vehicles
The rapid growth of the EV market is encouraging, and it’s only expected to accelerate in the decade ahead. Deloitte forecasts global electric vehicle sales will jump from 2.5 million in 2020 to 31.1 million in 2030 — a market share of 32%.
Still, the need for an expansive embrace of this technology has never been greater. The United Nations’ 2019 Emissions Gap Report forecasted that, at current rates, global emissions will be more than double what they should be by 2030. Greenhouse emissions are a major contributor to climate change and rising global temperatures, and gas-powered vehicles are a major source of these emissions. Electric vehicles produce between four and seven times lower emissions than gas-powered cars, making them essential in the battle for environmental sustainability.
The Problem of EV Charging Station Reliability
Even the most environmentally committed drivers have reservations about switching to EV. According to a 2019 Autolist survey, three of the top four reasons for hesitation related to reliability issues and EV charging infrastructure are: how long a vehicle can go without a recharge (range anxiety), lack of charging station availability and the time it takes to recharge. The price for electric vehicles is the other major factor.
Technological progress is continually driving down the prices of EVs. Pairing this with an aggressive plan to address EV charging station reliability and availability will remove major barriers to EV adoption. Forward-thinking business and property owners should already be considering planning ahead.
The Essentials of EV Charging Station Reliability
Large businesses and residential rental properties are major areas where people park their cars in between commutes, making these ideal locations for EV charging stations. But reliability in these charging setups is critical. To ensure that your business’s network of charging stations is reliable, there are a few key factors to consider.
Strong Equipment Partners
Quality equipment is an obvious essential for charging station reliability. Stations should be compatible with all types of vehicles, and your business should have options to choose between standard and fast-charging stations.
When you’re initially looking at setting up your network, you must find a network provider that’s committed to working with proven equipment partners. EV Connect partners with trusted industry leaders like BTC Power, EVBox and EVOCharge to offer top-of-the-line equipment to our customers.
Compatible Software
A closed-network software is one of the biggest barriers to creating a reliable nationwide EV charging network. Having a charging station is a start, but if the software doesn’t meet expectations, you’re typically locked into both the hardware and software.
An open network like EV Connect on the other hand is designed to work with multiple types and makers of charging stations, putting your EV charging infrastructure at a distinct advantage from the start. Make sure your charging network provider is committed to using an open software model so you have more options for other EV infrastructure later.
Sufficient Supply
Again, simply having charging stations isn’t enough — you need to ensure they are available and functional when people need them. One charging station for every four electric vehicles is a good target, so the right number will depend on the level of EV adoption in your area and at your place of business.
What’s most important here is that you’re building for the future. If the goal is widespread adoption, then EV charging infrastructure needs to accommodate not just the current amount of EV ownership but the desired level of adoption. Build your business’s EV charging network to meet the needs of your workforce in 2031, not 2021. It’s much easier to construct an adequate infrastructure from the start than to add on to an insufficient one later.
Building for Tomorrow
Electric vehicles are an essential tool for building a sustainable future, and a reliable EV charging station infrastructure is essential for ensuring widespread adoption.  EV Connect partners with hardware vendors, including EV Box, to deliver turnkey EV charging solutions. As more states follow the lead of California and move away from reliance on gas-powered vehicles, more Americans will expect their employers to do their part. Let EV Connect help you start to build a charging network that meets these demands for decades to come.
References:
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https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/focus/future-of-mobility/electric-vehicle-trends-2030.html
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https://www.unenvironment.org/interactive/emissions-gap-report/2019/
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Are Electric Vehicles Really Better for the Climate? Yes. Here’s Why
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https://www.autolist.com/news-and-analysis/survey-electric-vehicles
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https://www.kqed.org/science/1967914/electric-cars-will-cost-same-as-gas-models-as-soon-as-2023-researchers-say
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https://blog.evbox.com/top-5-ev-charging-factors
