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This shift to electric vehicles has already begun. More consumers are seeing the many benefits of investing in these vehicles. However, consumer anxiety associated with a lack of adequate charging infrastructure continues to hinder the mass adoption of electric cars. Even as charging infrastructure continues to increase across the US, it is barely enough to ease consumer anxiety. Investment in both private and public infrastructure must get considered.

Lack of charging infrastructure, however, shouldn’t be seen as a challenge but an opportunity for both car manufacturers as well as third-party stations. As charging infrastructure becomes more readily available to the public, the adoption of electric vehicles will continue to increase.

What Infrastructure Is Needed For Charging Electric Cars In Mass Quantities | Gregory Voetsch

Charging Electric Vehicles – Do We Have the Infrastructure Needed?

Electric vehicles were once the stuff of science fiction movies and novels. They are now a reality and are quickly taking hold of the global market. More than 1 million cars were sold globally in 2017. That number increased to 7.5 million units sold by the end of 2019. Numbers continue rising as more consumers recognize the benefits of electric vehicles. 

However, a significant hitch to the mass adoption of electric vehicles remains. That is the availability of charging stations. While the number of charging stations is growing in the US (there are about 76,000 charging stations throughout the US), it remains quite small in comparison with the number of gas stations (currently more than 168,000 nationwide).

Consumers need to know that they can charge their vehicles whenever they need to. They don’t want to have to rush back home to charge their cars. A survey by the Alternative Fuels Data Center showed that at least half of the consumers surveyed wouldn’t buy an electric vehicle due to the lack of charging stations.

Charging infrastructure needed

Unlike traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines, electric cars don’t need to refuel at gas stations. They can recharge at multiple locations and use various ways to do that. So far, these vehicles can recharge using:

• Wired plug-in chargers
• Wireless chargers

There are various other emerging technologies for charging electric vehicles, which include streetlight charging. However, for this blog, we’ll only discuss infrastructure for wired plug-in chargers.

Gregory Voetsch for the mass adoption of electric vehicles, the following infrastructure must be made available.

1. Home charging

It is a necessity for any electric vehicle buyer. That is because the vehicle gets parked in the home for the most extended portion of the day. Many electric vehicle owners leave their cars charging overnight or during other periods when it is convenient to leave the vehicle idle.

2. Workplace charging

The workplace is another critical opportunity to increase the adoption of electric vehicles. Workplace charging stations have the potential to double the daily range of an electric car. Extending range improves the preposition of owning an electric vehicle, especially since electrical charging is more affordable than fueling with gasoline.

3. Public charging infrastructure

It is one of the biggest challenges for electric car adoption. Many consumers have expressed concern about the range capabilities of electric vehicles. Many are anxious that they will not be able to travel as far as they would with traditional fossil-fueled cars. Increasing the number of public charging stations will help to reduce this anxiety. It was the experience in Japan that saw more miles achieved by electric vehicles and reduced concern amongst consumers. Gregory Voetsch

Challenge or opportunity

The shift to electric vehicles is inevitable. More consumers are becoming conscious of the impact of their activities on the environment and are opting for less harmful options. Many more are recognizing the cost savings to get with investing in an electric car. The question is not whether more public charging infrastructure should be made available it is how this infrastructure should be made available.

Car manufacturers have the option of building their charging networks or becoming reliant on third-parties. Tesla has led the charge by investing in its network of superchargers, and Volkswagen is following suit. Demand for third-party stations is also rising. As the momentum builds, the future of electric vehicles is positive.