Summary
- 50% increase in charging connectors in 2024 compared to 2023
- Public EV charging showing progress in reliability
- U.S. public EV charging infrastructure keeping up with EV sales growth in 2024
- End-user experience for fast charging sessions improved during Thanksgiving week in 2024
- Average rate of utilization declined slightly, indicating infrastructure is keeping up with EV growth
Article
According to recent data, the infrastructure for electric vehicle (EV) charging in the United States has expanded to accommodate peak charging demand. The number of charging connectors in 2024 has increased by approximately 50% compared to 2023. This growth in infrastructure has also led to improvements in the reliability of public EV charging stations.
A study conducted by Paren, a data services provider for EV charging, analyzed the end-user experience of fast charging sessions during the Thanksgiving travel week in 2024. This week is considered the “Super Bowl of fast charging” as it presents a significant challenge to the charging sector with increased traffic on the highways. The study revealed that both the number of charging sessions and charging connectors had increased by around 50% during Thanksgiving week of 2024 compared to the previous year.
Despite the increase in EV sales throughout 2024, with sales up by over 10% year-over-year, the public charging infrastructure has been able to keep up with the growing demand. The average rate of utilization, which measures total charging session minutes per connector as a percentage of open hours, only slightly declined from 24% to 22% year-over-year. This indicates that the infrastructure is able to support the rising number of EVs on the roads.
The expansion of public charging infrastructure has been attributed to the addition of more fast-charging stations across the country, allowing for easier road trips for EV owners. Companies like Electrify America have been testing new strategies, such as limiting fast-charges to 85% at busy stations, to optimize the charging experience for users. Tesla has also been proactive in adding temporary Superchargers to alleviate congestion during peak times.
Paren’s study also noted an increase in the reliability of public charging stations, with a 3.4 percentage point improvement compared to the previous year, reaching 85.5%. However, it remains uncertain how much further progress can be made in enhancing the reliability of the charging infrastructure in the coming years. A 2023 Energy Department study suggested that a significant number of DC fast-charging ports may be required by 2030 to support the growing number of EVs on the roads.
Overall, the data suggests that the public charging infrastructure for EVs in the United States has been able to adapt and grow to meet the increasing demand. The improvements in infrastructure reliability and expansion of charging stations indicate a positive trend for the EV market. With the potential for further advancements in infrastructure development, the future looks promising for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles in the country.
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