Summary
- EV market share is closing in on ten percent nationally, with substantial government investment improving EV infrastructure
- Despite overall increases in charging points, states vary in their ability to meet EV infrastructure needs
- Several states struggle to provide enough public charging points based on their number of registered EVs
- California leads in the number of charging points but has one of the worst EVs to charging point ratios
- New Jersey, Hawaii, Illinois, Arizona, Alaska, Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas rank lower in EV infrastructure compared to their EV market share
Article
The State of EV Infrastructure in America
The number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the road is growing, with the EV market share reaching close to ten percent nationally. Government investments have been made to improve EV infrastructure to meet the increasing demand for electric vehicles. The number of EV charging points in America has increased by 29 percent nationwide in 2023. However, the question remains whether this increase is happening quickly enough to keep up with the rising number of EVs.
Challenges in Building EV Charging Infrastructure
Different states have varying needs for EV charging infrastructure. To gauge the success of states in providing EV infrastructure, it is essential to consider their EVs per charging point ratio. Some states, even those that are considered to be EV-friendly, may be lagging behind in terms of the required public charging points to meet the increasing number of registered EVs.
Highlighted States with Infrastructure Challenges
According to the HERE-SBD EV Index for 2024, California, despite having the most EV charging points in any state, has one of the worst EVs to charging point ratios. This suggests that more needs to be done to improve EV infrastructure in the state. States like New Jersey, Hawaii, and Illinois are also facing challenges in building enough public charging points to keep up with the increasing number of registered EVs.
Analysis of Selected States
New Jersey, with the nation’s second-highest EV market share, ranks 20th in the number of charging ports, indicating a need for more public charging points. Hawaii, despite having a high EV market share, ranks poorly in EVs per charging point and average charger power. California, a leader in the EV movement, still has work to do in improving its EVs per charging point score. Washington, Arizona, and Texas, while ranking high in EV market share, face challenges with their EVs per charging point ratios.
States at the Bottom of the EV Index
Alaska, with harsh weather conditions and vast distances, scored the worst on the EV index due to the lack of chargers. Florida, a warm-weather state with a high EV market share, still falls short in the number of public charging points. Oklahoma ranks high for EV market share and fast chargers but lacks in the number of charging points. Texas, known for its love of combustion vehicles, also falls short in the number of public charging points required to meet the demand for EVs.
Conclusion
As the popularity of EVs continues to rise, states need to focus on improving their EV infrastructure to meet the increasing demand. Addressing EVs per charging point ratios and expanding the number of public charging points are crucial steps in ensuring that the EV market continues to grow and thrive across the country. States must work towards developing a comprehensive EV infrastructure plan to support the transition to electric vehicles and reduce reliance on traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
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