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ChargerHelp has released a new study exploring the challenges within the fragmented public EV charging network and provides a roadmap for improvement. The report analyzes over 19 million data points, revealing key issues and proposing actionable solutions to enhance the reliability of EV charging infrastructure.
Key Highlights:
- Lack of Charging Infrastructure: Over 50% of Americans hesitate to buy EVs due to insufficient charging stations.
- Charging Failures: 1 in 5 charging attempts at public chargers fail, primarily due to system-wide unreliability.
- Interoperability Issues: A significant threat to EV adoption is the lack of compatibility among vehicles, charging stations, and networks.
The electric vehicle (EV) revolution is transforming the automotive industry, with global EV sales increasing by 233% over the past five years. In the United States, EV sales jumped by 52% in 2023. However, the growth of the EV market is hindered by an underdeveloped public charging infrastructure. More than half of Americans are reluctant to purchase EVs, citing a lack of charging stations as a primary concern. Additionally, 20% of charging attempts at public stations fail, highlighting a critical reliability issue.
ChargerHelp, a leading provider of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) operations and maintenance services, conducted an extensive analysis of the public EV charging infrastructure. Their findings are detailed in the ChargerHelp Annual Reliability Report: The State of EV Charging and the Driver Experience, published in June 2024.
The report, endorsed by Professor Gil Tal from UC Davis’s Electric Vehicle Research Center, analyzed data from multiple sources, including ChargerHelp’s direct EVSE O&M experience, third-party data from Paren, Inc., and public data from the U.S. DOE’s AFDC database. The study examined more than 19 million individual data points.
“After pulling data for four years from 20,000 chargers, we identified key areas where the public charging system can be improved to better meet the needs of today’s EV driver,” said Kameale Terry, co-founder and CEO of ChargerHelp. “For the EV market to continue to flourish, we need to work to ensure true uptime is the norm through a standardized and more synchronized approach to data, maintenance, and communication networks.”
Professor Gil Tal added, “Ensuring that EV drivers can travel without worrying about charging reliability is crucial for mass adoption. This study is an important step in understanding the technical difficulties and developing solutions to overcome them. ChargerHelp, specializing in the maintenance and repair of various chargers across multiple states, is well-positioned to evaluate the data and produce a reliable report with strong action plans for policymakers and the industry.”
The report highlights several critical issues:
- True Uptime vs. Reported Uptime: Actual charger uptime often falls short of reported figures, leading to driver frustration.
- Reliability Variations: Charger reliability varies significantly by state and network, with older infrastructure experiencing higher downtime.
- Targeted Repairs and Standardization: Frequent repairs on problematic stations highlight the need for standardized reliability metrics.
To address these challenges, the report recommends:
- Ensuring data accessibility and effective uptime measurement with standardized reporting protocols.
- Allocating specific funding for O&M to maintain and renew EVSE infrastructure.
- Implementing comprehensive warranty coverage and standardized troubleshooting protocols.
- Promoting best practices and expanding technician training and certification.
For more information and to access the full report, visit here.
About ChargerHelp:
ChargerHelp’s app-based dispatch and deployment system addresses the industry-wide issue of downed EV charging stations by offering on-demand repairs and maintenance support from trained local workforces. This capability supports the rapid growth of EV charging infrastructure, improving efficiency, turnaround time, and network availability while reducing costs. For more information, visit www.chargerhelp.com.
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