Summary
- Used electric vehicle on East Coast trip, initially worried about range anxiety
- Surrendered control to car’s route planning software for charging strategy
- Route planning software directed to fast-chargers on 3,400 km journey with fewer stops
- Lack of visibility of charging infrastructure may be a barrier to EV adoption
- Improved charging infrastructure in New Brunswick funded by government program, with standout locations for charging like visitor information centre in Sackville and parking lot of Amsterdam Inn & Suites in Florenceville-Bristol.
Article
Last summer, the author took a trip to the East Coast in their electric vehicle, experiencing range anxiety as they worried about making it between charging stops. This year, on the same trip, they found that surrendering control to their car’s internal route planning software alleviated their anxiety. The software directed them to fast chargers over the 3,400-kilometre journey with fewer stops than the previous year. The author realized that many people, both prospective EV owners and skeptics, may not be aware of the available charging options due to the lack of visible charging infrastructure.
The author’s use of navigation software highlighted the invisibility of charging infrastructure to those outside the EV community, potentially hindering the broader appeal of electric vehicles. Despite personal experiences demonstrating the availability of charging options through quick searches on charging apps, many may still believe that charging infrastructure is inadequate. This lack of awareness can contribute to reluctance in embracing EVs, perpetuating the cycle of not seeing the charging infrastructure that is actually present.
The focus here is on fast chargers, essential for longer road trips, rather than slower public chargers more suitable for regular commuting and home charging. During their trip to the East Coast, the author relied on fast chargers about three times a day, with specific mention of improvements in New Brunswick’s charging infrastructure. New Brunswick Power Corp. has expanded its network by 60% since 2023, funded by Ottawa’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program. Notable charging locations include the visitor information centre in Sackville, N.B., and the Amsterdam Inn & Suites in Florenceville-Bristol, N.B., where the charging stations provided a convenient and pleasant experience for the author and their family.
Despite the availability of charging options, many drivers with gas-guzzling cars may not be aware of these facilities, as road signs indicating charging stations are uncommon. Greater awareness through signage, similar to those for fuel, bathrooms, and dining establishments, could help correct the perception that inadequate EV charging infrastructure is a barrier to the broader adoption of electric vehicles. While road signs may not replace route planning software for EV owners, they could increase visibility and understanding among EV skeptics and holdouts about the convenience and accessibility of charging options. Overall, raising awareness of EV charging infrastructure through various means, including signage, could help bridge the gap in understanding and facilitate the transition to electric vehicles.
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