Federal Funds Only Yield 8 EV Charging Stations (But Here Is Why!)
In an Autoweek article, the federal government's ambitious plan to expand EV charging infrastructure is scrutinized as it is slow to roll out the 500,000 public chargers by 2030 that are crucial for promoting electric vehicle (EV) adoption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The article highlights how much is currently being allocated to build the appropriate amount of infrastructure to keep up with the booming increase in EV sales. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program is providing $5 billion towards charger networks and $2.5 billion is being contributed from the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) discretionary grant funding via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. While the funding is there it’s clear that time is another necessary component before any changes can be made and things are going slower than many would like. Why?
The NEVI program's slow rollout is primarily due to the high standards set for new chargers, requiring them to be operational 97 percent of the time, provide 150kW of power, and be located within a mile of the interstate. These stringent requirements, while crucial for a reliable nationwide charging network, complicate and delay implementation. Administrative hurdles, including permitting and ensuring electricity supply to remote areas, further contribute to the slow progress.
With all the concern to increase the number of charger networks at the speed they are being sold, it is possible that the current alternatives are the perfect solution. Public charging is great but charging at home is a current alternative that many use, and many more could. Kate Harrison, co-founder of MoveEV, emphasizes the inefficiency of public charging, stating, "Public charging costs three times as much as charging at home and takes time out of employees’ workdays. Businesses that provide EVs as company cars should have a home-first charging approach." MoveEV's software aims to streamline the reimbursement process for employees charging EVs at home, potentially addressing some of these logistical challenges.