Summary
– Owning an electric vehicle (EV) is clean, efficient, quiet, and speedy
– EV sales are outpacing the growth of chargers, causing challenges for EV drivers
– The US needs to build out its EV charging capacity to support widespread EV adoption
– Cities need to prioritize sustainable transport strategies to combat the climate crisis
– The majority of EV owners in the US charge at home, but public charging infrastructure is still lacking, especially in rural areas.
Article
The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is essential for combating climate change, with cities needing to prioritize sustainable transport strategies to reduce emissions. EVs are becoming more attractive to consumers due to competitive pricing and improved battery range. Despite reports of declining EV sales, data shows that sales are actually growing at a rapid pace. However, the growth of EV chargers is not keeping up with the demand for EVs, creating challenges for everyday EV drivers. The US must expand its EV charging infrastructure to meet the needs of current and future EV owners.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that by 2030, there will be 33 million EVs on the road, requiring 28 million charging ports to support them. While progress has been made in increasing the number of publicly accessible charging stations, more work is needed to ensure that EV drivers have convenient and reliable access to charging. The current landscape shows that the majority of EV owners charge at home, but efforts are being made to provide on-street charging infrastructure for those without off-street parking.
The growth of EV chargers in rural areas has outpaced urban areas, but access to public EV charging remains concentrated in cities. A collaborative effort between cities, utilities, and private stakeholders is needed to deploy more charging stations in public locations and workplaces. Announcements by charging providers, automakers, and retailers indicate that there are plans to deploy a significant number of DC fast chargers and L2 chargers by 2030. This planned expansion will help meet the increasing demands for EV charging as the adoption of EVs continues to rise.
While the current number of charging stations is not sufficient to meet the needs of EV drivers, efforts are being made to bridge the gap by expanding the charging infrastructure. City partnerships and government initiatives play an important role in providing equitable and accessible charging options for all EV owners. Public charging stations, including fast chargers and L2 chargers, are essential for meeting the charging needs of EV drivers who do not have access to home charging. By working together, stakeholders can ensure that a national charging network is in place to support the growing number of EVs on the road by 2030.
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