Summary
- Nebraskan Don Cox has put over 400,000 miles on his EVs since 2008 without getting stranded.
- Nebraska has 265 charging stations with over 500 ports, mostly along Interstate 80.
- EV ownership in Nebraska has grown sixfold in the past six years, but still lags behind other states.
- Concerns about insufficient charging infrastructure are a major deterrent to EV ownership in Nebraska.
- There is a need for more diverse and reliable charging options to unlock new EV owners in Nebraska.
Article
Don Cox, one of the first Nebraskans to own an electric vehicle, has driven more than 400,000 miles on his EVs since 2008 without ever getting stranded. However, in the early days, he had to resort to plugging into outlets at RV parks to get his Tesla Roadster across the state. Despite the increase in charging stations in Nebraska – now totaling 265 stations with over 500 individual ports mostly along the Interstate 80 corridor – the state still lags behind in EV ownership. Only one out of every 362 registered vehicles in Nebraska is electric, a lower rate than most states.
According to a 2022 survey by the Nebraska Department of Transportation, nine out of 10 respondents believe that the state’s charging infrastructure is insufficient for practical EV ownership. However, current EV drivers interviewed by the Flatwater Free Press state that the charging infrastructure is improving and becoming more reliable, but more options are needed to attract new owners. The distribution of public charging stations in Nebraska shows a concentration in the eastern half of the state, near population centers, with fewer stations in the western regions, reflecting where EV ownership is also more prevalent.
While many current EV owners rely on home charging for the majority of their charging needs, a robust public charging network could encourage more EV adoption. Range anxiety, the fear of running out of battery before reaching a charger, remains a significant barrier to EV ownership in the United States. Increasing the number of charging locations, along with advancements in battery technology, can help alleviate range anxiety and drive EV adoption. Nebraska’s power grid has the capacity to support more charging infrastructure, and as battery costs decrease, EV ownership is expected to continue growing.
Despite the increasing number of charging stations in Nebraska, there are still areas, particularly in rural counties in the state, that lack EV ownership and charging infrastructure. The need for well-maintained charging stations is crucial for EV owners without home chargers, as broken chargers can result in inconvenience and uncertainty for drivers. As EV ownership expands, the demand for more fast chargers, particularly for road trips, is becoming apparent, as they can significantly reduce charging times and increase the convenience of long-distance travel.
Several EV owners in Nebraska emphasize the importance of charging infrastructure for both personal and commercial EV use. Concerns about the availability of charging stations for electric trucks and fleets are raised, as the power demands for charging larger vehicles are significantly higher than for personal EVs. Companies like Werner Enterprises are facing challenges in fully transitioning to electric trucks due to cost and power demand issues. However, there are efforts to expand charging infrastructure for electric trucks, with some companies utilizing lighter electric trucks for shorter-distance deliveries.
Experts and EV owners believe that continued development of the EV infrastructure in Nebraska will lead to increased adoption of electric vehicles of all types on the state’s roadways. By addressing charging deserts, maintaining existing charging stations, and expanding fast charging options, Nebraska can encourage more residents to switch to electric vehicles. Building a comprehensive charging network with a focus on increasing accessibility and convenience is essential for driving EV adoption in the state and reducing reliance on traditional gas-powered vehicles.
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