The Charging Infrastructure Question

As American consumers and companies adopt electric vehicles in more significant numbers, a question remains - Is the charging infrastructure keeping pace with EV sales? 

The Facts: 

In 2021 there were 608,000 EVs sold in the US, bringing the total in the country to 2.1M. In the same timeframe, the US had 109K charging ports. State-to-state data shows an average of 14.2 EVs to every charging port—Wyoming with the best at 4.2:1, and New Jersey the worst at 41.7:1. 

So what does adequate look like?

Projections have 35M EVs on US roads by 2030. In order to meet the charging needs of such a sharp increase in consumers, the US would need to add 478 charging ports a day for the next eight years. 

Over 90% of EV owners charge at home, but the number of public chargers for long trips, renters, and city use still makes up a significant portion of the proposed 478 new ports a day. 

‍How does this all compare to ICE?

Internal combustion engine vehicles have a few benefits EVs do not yet. 

1. A massive head start. Gas-powered infrastructure is basically as old as the auto industry. 
2. Long ranges. A full tank on a vehicle with a poor fuel economy compares to the current max range of many EVs. (More recent EVs boast of 400+ mile ranges on a single charge but are not widely available yet in some instances) 
3. Dramatically faster "Refuel" times. Nobody has to find a way to kill 30 minutes to fill their tank. Therefore a long line or people waiting never lasts very long at a typical gas station. 

Wow, so... are we out of luck?

No, private companies and public funds are very interested in moving the US toward the potentially sustainable energy of widespread EV use. The Biden admin signed an infrastructure law targeting 500K charging stations by 2030, which will dwarf the decreasing number of gas stations. 

However, the proposed $7.5B state charging infrastructure investment may have issues finding appropriate use. 

How hard can it be? 

Four years ago, a Volkswagen settlement paid out $2.8B to resolve allegations that it cheated in diesel emissions tests. The company paid $424M to states for charging stations, but only about half of those funds have been used. 

Texas made the charging funds available to companies at first come, first serve basis, with Shell oil and a service station chain taking 85% of the funds. It remains to be seen what impact the funds will have. 

With existing companies and startups seeking to increase earnings by entering the EV charging industry, the issue is not funding or talent and technology but the pace at which state governments are making formal agreements. How states and the federal government will judge stewardship of the allocated funds also remains to be seen. 

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