Trends in US Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
|
Global advancements in
sustainable energy, consumer sentiment, and imperatives put forward
by governments will continue to drive adoption of electric vehicles. But we still hear the concern,
"Where is everyone going to charge them?" It
is true that electric
vehicle charging stations are going to be key for the expansion of
the electric vehicle market. Luckily, things are going well in this
sector. Before we look at the current
state of charging infrastructure, let’s define the types of electric
vehicles on the market. Battery-powered electric
vehicles run on rechargeable batteries and do not have a gasoline
engine. The most common type of battery used is a lithium-ion
battery. Growth in the EV space is helping to fuel demand for
lithium and “green
lithium.” These battery-powered EVs stand
in contrast to the
more common
plug-in hybrid vehicles that can be powered by batteries but also
have a gasoline engine. Both are usually considered electric
vehicles (EVs). A plug-in hybrid has a large
battery pack that must be fully recharged using an external source
of electricity. This can be done at home, of course. But public
charging stations are essential for electric vehicles to fulfill
their potential. (Imagine if a gas-powered vehicle could only be
filled at home!) Less common are cars like the
Toyota Mirai, which is powered by hydrogen
fuel cells. These cells convert hydrogen gas into electricity and
produce zero emissions. Some of the most popular
electric vehicles in 2020 include:
●
Tesla Model S and other Tesla models. You can also find electric
vehicle options in SUVs like the
Honda CR-V, and
the
Toyota RAV4. Charging Station
Considerations
More than
80% of those that
own plug-in electric cars charge their cars at home since it is the
most convenient and inexpensive. The cost to run an electric car
charged at home for a year is comparable to or less than running an
average central air conditioner. There are three levels of
charging. Level 1 charging is usually the
residence. Most plug-in electric vehicles come with what is known as
a portable Level 1 cord set or electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).
These require no types of special equipment to charge an EV at home.
These work for overnight charging using a standard residential
120-volt outlet. This level of charging typically adds around 4 to 6
miles of charge per hour. Level 2 charging is best for
drivers with irregular schedules or long commutes. An electrician
can install Level
2 charging equipment at a residence for between $500 and $2,000.
Level 2 charging requires a 240-volt connection and usually adds 10
to 20 miles of range per hour, depending on the charging rate. Some
states might have incentives to help offset the cost of the Level 2
installation. Level 3 charging, also known as
DC Fast Chargers
or DCFC, is normally found only at public stations. Level 3 charging
stations are the fastest way to charge an electric vehicle. Although
all can use Level 1 and 2 charges, only some can use a Level 3
charger. How many miles an electric car
can travel depends on how long it is charged. The following are some
mileage figures for the time an EV is charged, assuming the battery
was empty when charged.
Connector Types
Charging stations can have
different connectors. The most common Level 1 and Level 2 connector
is an
SAE J1772 EV plug.
All electric cars in the United States and Canada can be charged
using this plug. Tesla cars have different connectors but come with
an adaptor. Level 3 chargers use the
CHAdeMO and the
SAE Combo connector. They are not interchangeable. An EV with a
CHAdeMO port cannot be charged using an SAE Combo plug and vice
versa. For fast charging, the CHAdeMO
and the SAE Combo are the most used connectors by electric car
manufacturers. There is a third connector that Tesla uses. This
connection is used on both Level 2 and Level 3 Supercharger Tesla
charging stations. They are only compatible with a Tesla car. Current Market
The worldwide electric vehicle
charging station market is valued at
$5.03 billion as
of 2020, and this is expected to increase to $36.87 billion by 2026.
Factors driving the growth of electric vehicles include government
incentives to buy EVs, stricter emission and fuel laws, and the
green movement. These increasing sales will also increase the demand
for more charging stations. Note that the COVID-19 pandemic
has slowed charging infrastructure projects. As we get past the
pandemic, the market is expecting growth during the second half of
2021. Current Trends
Charging stations are becoming
more widespread. All regions of the United States are showing an
increase in
charging stations,
with the northeast leading the way with a more than 10 percent
increase. California and other states are
fast tracking their
charging station capacity. As of 2020, There are 12 states with more
than 10
charging stations
per 10,000 Vehicles (29 have more than 5). Here are the top five:
Companies are also increasing
their
charging station capacity
along with buying EVs for their fleet of cars. With annual sales of
electric vehicles expected to pass 5 million by 2025, this trend
should continue upward as more people buy electric cars. Summary
Once there is more charging
station infrastructure put in place and we get past the slowdown
caused by the pandemic, the trend should continue upward, especially
with commercial charging stations. Most major car manufacturers
now have electric vehicle models. As sales continue to increase, the
demand for public charging stations will also increase.
|