As demand grows for more publicly accessible charging stations, there is a greater need for equipment that supports faster charging at higher voltages and currents that are not currently available from residential ESVE. Globally, the number of electric vehicle networks is increasing to provide a system of publicly accessible charging stations for EV recharging. Governments, automakers and charging infrastructure providers have forged agreements to create these networks.
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New Report Shows That Yes, American EV Charging Infrastructure Still Sucks
It's hard to find a good-working charger out there.
EV ownership rates may be ticking up, which is a good thing. But what isn’t good is the charging infrastructure that is barely keeping up with adoption. So while you may drive your EV and charge it just fine at home, public charging is and has been a whole other issue, as detailed in a latest report by J.D. Power, via USA Today.
The report is part of a larger one done on EV leasing rates and vehicle availability — showing that 20.8 percent of EV owners said they had problems with public charging in the first quarter of 2023. Many said the chargers just didn’t work, which if you’re edging really close to zero percent power on your battery, and this is the one charger you can get to, it certainly creates a big problem.
Then when you look at the faster chargers, the numbers aren’t much better. J.D. Power says that 71 percent of all public charging stations are Level 2, but customer satisfaction with those chargers dropped significantly. On the other side of this, Level 3 charging satisfaction actually improved ever so slightly, but that’s not saying much since many people don’t have access to those types of chargers. Charging problems are also more pronounced in the West, in places like California where EV adoption is leading the nation. The report says the amount of EV owners unable to use public chargers in the Pacific region was 25 percent; nationally its 21 percent.
A VW ID.4 owner shared his personal pains of charging with USA Today. Charging is so bad he says that he’s going to start renting or borrowing gas cars to take on longer trips.
He typically stops at a public charging station in Moore, Oklahoma, on the way to the university to refuel. But during his last visit, he said one of the four chargers wasn’t working and another was delivering a limited number of kilowatts. He fell in line behind three other cars, making what is typically a 30-minute stop drag on more than an hour. He ran into another line at the public charging station on the way back.
Brent Gruber, executive director of global automotive research for J.D. Power says one of the main issues with public charging reliability is the lack of maintenance, due to the weird relationship between EV charging companies and the owners of the sites they’re located at. Most do not own or operate their chargers, but instead sell them to the sites where they are now located. And like most new, expensive things, maintenance is kept up if the warranty is still valid. But once the warranty expires, site owners tend to stop taking care of the chargers. Seriously far from ideal.
Companies like Electrify America says that they plan to replace 600 aging EV chargers by the end of the year, but more needs to be done industry wide, and of course, more chargers also need to be built. In the interim, Gruber says the best thing EV drivers can do until charging improves is to plan ahead and “prepare for the unexpected.”
TOP 10 FAQS FOR PUBLIC EV CHARGING
Electric Vehicle Charging
For a long time the key factor holding back the electric vehicle revolution was the fact that there was not nearly enough funding for public electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). That is changing — now billions of dollars are being allocated with a goal of installing half a million public EV chargers by 2030. As the number of public chargers and the EV adoption rate continue to rise, it’s normal to wonder how the public charging process works. To help you navigate through and be in control of your EV charging experience, here are the top 10 frequently asked questions about charging your electric vehicle away from home:
1. Why is at home EV charging preferred over public EV charging?
Over 80% of EV charging happens at home. This is partly due to the fact that there has been a lack of public EV chargers in the past. As more EVSE are added to communities and places of work, this will likely change. However, many EV owners will still likely prefer the convenience, control and cost savings of charging at home.
2. What are my public EV charging options?
Public EV charging stations will either be Level 2 or Level 3 DC Fast Chargers (DCFC). Level 2 EV chargers supply alternating current (AC) to the vehicle’s on-board charger which converts the AC power to direct current (DC) to charge the battery. On the contrary, DC Fast Chargers bypass the vehicle’s on-board charger and supply DC power directly to the EV battery.
3. Does DC fast charging damage the EV battery?
Excessive DC fast charging can negatively impact EV battery performance and durability. Compared to standard charging, eight years of fast charging would take approximately 10% off of the EV battery life. While DCFC is convenient and at times absolutely necessary, this method of charging should be utilized only when essential.
4. Can I use any public EV charger?
If charging with Level 2, you can use any public EV charger as they all use or have an adaptor for a standard SAE J1772 connector. Level 3 DC Fast Chargers typically have either a CHAdeMO or CCS connector - these connectors are incompatible. However, a lot of EVs have a charging port for each. Tesla used to have a third connection type for Level 3 charging, but Tesla superchargers are now compatible with other vehicle models. To be safe, make sure you know your EV connector (all EVs except Nissan and Mitsubishi should use CCS).
5. How can I find a public EV charger?
Finding a public EV charger is easier than ever. Almost all public EV charging companies have a network, accessible through an app, to display charging station locations. With the advancement of interoperability, charging networks also exchange information with one another to display chargers from multiple companies. This Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) simplifies the user experience by eliminating the need to download multiple apps. Public EV chargers are also visible on some navigation softwares such as Google Maps.
6. How long does public EV charging take?
Public EV charging time is dependent on the type of charger, among other factors. Level 2 EV chargers, more commonly found in local communities and places of work, can add around 15 to 30 miles of range per hour. DC Fast Chargers, more common along highways, can charge your EV in as little as 30 minutes. No matter how you choose to charge your EV away from home, expect the process to take longer than filling a gas tank.
7. How much does public EV charging cost?
This is dependent on what type of charger you use, when you charge and what pricing model is in effect. Public EV pricing models include monthly subscriptions, pay as you go or some combination of both. While there are variables, you can assume that using a DC Fast Charger will cost around $15-30 for a full charge. Already less expensive than filling up with gas, EV charging will only get cheaper as you decrease your charging level to Level 2 or Level 1.
8. Is my EV battery going to run out before I find a charger?
If you’ve never run out of gas, you’ll never run out of electricity. Similar to your old gas-powered vehicle, EVs will give you a warning when your battery is low and many will display EV charging stations in the area. If your battery level continues to decline, your EV will take precautions such as increasing regenerative braking to convert more kinetic energy into usable energy therefore extending battery life.
9. Can I take my EV on a road trip?
Yes! With more on the way, there is already EVSE in place to meet your road trip needs. If you plan ahead and pinpoint the EV chargers along your route, you’ll have no problem adding your EV to your adventure. However, just be mindful that EV charging takes longer than filling up with gas, so try to plan your EV charging during meals and other necessary stops.
10. Are there any public EV charging best practices I should follow?
Yes! One key tip for EV charging is to try to maintain your EV battery between 25% and 75%. Also, remember there are many factors that affect charging speed such as charging rate of the vehicle, battery size, battery fullness, and environmental elements such as temperature. Read our EV Charging Guide for a deep dive into EV charging best practices.
*BONUS QUESTION*: How can I get a public EV charger installed where I work?
Start by taking a poll of employees who would utilize EV charging at work. Then, provide the decision-maker with the benefits of having EVSE at work. Those benefits include the following:
- Employee satisfaction, retention and attraction
- Branding
- Increased property value
- Secondary form of income
- Industry leadership
- Grant funding and financial incentives
Other articles in this Series on Electric Vehicles - New Trends in Technology.
With the sudden surge in demand for electric vehicles, the EV automakers are focusing on long-range battery vehicles and investing in enhancing the EV charging infrastructure.
One of the prime concerns of EV users is the range of their vehicles. This range anxiety among customers cannot be compensated by larger EV batteries or a more extended range of their vehicle alone; the charging infrastructure needs to be addressed as well.
EV charging solution providers are focusing on providing more innovative and reliable e-mobility charging solutions that help create a digital space linking vehicles, buildings, and utilities. Electric vehicles require compact EV charging solutions that ensure faster and on-demand charging and robust connectivity to support electric vehicles’ current and future needs.
Types of Electric Vehicle Charging
- Level-1 EV Charging (120 Volts): Level-1 electric vehicle charging supports 120 volts and can be done using a power cord and a control box that comes with most electric vehicles. Level-1 charging is very convenient and can be done at home. Level-1 EV chargers do not incur any installation cost and can simply be plugged in. The only drawback with level 1 chargers is that it takes approximately 16-18 hours to charge a 60-kWh vehicle.
- Level-2 EV Charging: Level-2 electric vehicle charging equipment supports currents up to 240V AC and requires installing electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and electric wiring capable of handling higher voltage power. The time taken to charge a battery depends on its capacity and the pace at which it is charged. Charging through Level-2 chargers is much faster than Level-1; a 7 kW EV charger takes 7 to 8 hours to charge a 60-kWh vehicle. Level-2 chargers can be used for domestic or workplace environments such as homes and apartments, small workplaces, hospitality, and retail stores.
- Level-3 EV Charging (480 Volts): Level- 3 EV charging, also called DC fast charging, can charge compatible vehicles up to 80% in as little as 30 minutes. Level 3 chargers convert high voltage AC power into DC power for direct storage in EV batteries. DC fast charging is primarily designed for public charging stations. These systems are quite expensive as compared to level-1 and level-2 EV chargers. It takes approximately 20 to 30 mins to recharge an electric vehicle using DC (level-3) charging. DC (level-3) EV chargers have commercial applications as they are the right fit for vehicle fleets and public transport, such as electric buses, that require fast charging and can accommodate a large number of vehicles simultaneously.
It is also imperative to consider the range of the electric vehicle after charging the vehicle for an hour. The efficiency of an electric vehicle does not entirely depend on the power that it accumulates from the charging station; it also depends on external factors such as traffic, temperature, acceleration, and more. 3 to 7 KWh of stored energy (in the battery) enables the vehicle to travel between 15 and 30 miles. This quantum of charge can be obtained in an hour from an AC level 2 charger. Rather than recharging the EVs from empty to full, EV owners prefer to do a top-up charge. A top-up charge is typically when the vehicle is charged to its maximum capacity without waiting for the battery to run empty.
Understanding the Components of EV Charging Station
The EV charging station comprises an Electric Vehicle charger, Power Grid, Facility Meter, Energy Controller, Software platform, Network operating center, and other relevant components.
The power storage system at Electric Vehicle Charging Station consists of three main units: Battery, Power Conversion System, and Software. Let’s discuss them in detail:
- Battery: At EV charging stations, the batteries are primarily lithium-ion batteries, consisting of cells, packs, battery management system (BMS) to manage control of the charge and discharge of the battery.
- Power Conversion System: The power conversion system for the EV charging station comprises an inverter, its enclosure, and thermal management (HVAC) for batteries to maintain the battery at a specific temperature.
- Software: Electric Vehicle Charging Software is an integral part of EV charging infrastructure. It helps charge point operators and e-mobility service providers to manage EV charging stations and their customers. EV charging software (web or mobile based) helps in managing the EV chargers at charging stations. Some of the key features of the EV charging software are: connect and monitor the charger, automatic fault detection, live meter display, billing and payments, track costs, manage users, interactive dashboard, and more.
Use Cases of EV Charging in Different Environments
EV solution providers target all kinds of customers with state-of-the-art smarter, more reliable, more accessible, and emission-free solutions. The latest EV charging solutions have a compact design, high-quality AC wall boxes, DC fast charging with robust connectivity, and separate on-demand EV charging solutions for EV fleets. Some of the business use cases of the Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions are:
Residential Charging: EV Charging solution vendors provide easy to install EV chargers for individual houses, housing societies, and residential buildings. Home chargers are well integrated with proper safety features for people and electric vehicles. These chargers are compact, lightweight, have attached AC input cables and DC output cables, and provide flexibility to be used as portable chargers or to be wall-mounted. These chargers have more than 95% conversion efficiency, lowering the total cost of ownership of battery-powered vehicles.
Public Charging: Public charging stations use AC Type 2 chargers, which are suitable for general applications such as workplaces, businesses, malls, hotels, and public commercial charging. These systems are robust and durable and can be managed by a centralized management software. EV charging solutions installed in public places offer simple plug-and-play devices and charge all the type 2 compatible vehicles. The admin can use RFID tags for user authentication and remotely manage the applications and energy costs through the software associated with these chargers.
Fleet Charging: EV Fleet charging solutions require a DC charger to support all types of vehicles and charging needs. These fast DC chargers come with cutting-edge technologies in hardware design and application software. They also allow seamless integration with payment platforms and are capable of firmware and software up-gradation over-the-air. These DC chargers can accommodate 30KW – 300 KW of EVs.
The Future of EV Charging
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is moving towards utilizing renewable sources of energy like solar and wind, and vehicle to grid (V2G) or Bidirectional chargers are steps in this direction. On the other hand, to reduce range anxiety among EV owners and to make using EV chargers easier, wireless charging of electric vehicles is also creating a buzz in the automotive marketspace.
With the electric vehicle infrastructure falling in place, the industry is looking forward to delivering e-mobility solutions that are not restricted to automobiles and develop capabilities to energize our highways, industrial fleets, and businesses, cities, and utilities.
eInfochips (An Arrow Company), as a complete design & development partner for next-generation electric vehicle chargers, can assist the clients in hardware design, firmware development, software, connectivity & testing across basic & advanced variants of the electric chargers. To know more please contact our experts today.
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