US EV Charging Network: Infrastructure Challenges and Roadmap for Improvement

A comprehensive study of the US electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, conducted by ChargerHelp, revealed significant shortcomings. Broken stalls, outdated equipment, and inconsistent reliability of network providers were among the primary problems identified. These issues were corroborated by Professor Gil Tal, Director of the Electric Vehicle Research Center at UC Davis. Using four years of data from 20,000 monitored chargers, ChargerHelp found a significant discrepancy between the self-reported uptime by network providers (84.6 percent) and the actual uptime encountered by EV drivers (73.7 percent). This is prepared by SSP.

Reliability Challenges

EV chargers often experience various malfunctions such as broken retractors, inoperable payment systems, and general cabinet damage. Ghost stations (which appear in apps but don’t exist), zombie stations (which exist but don’t show in apps), and confused occupancy (where the app shows available stalls that are actually occupied) further complicate the user experience. Impressive differences in charger downtime were observed; for instance, New Jersey had only 4.4 percent down ports compared to Washington, DC’s near 11 percent, yet New Jersey lacked sufficient charging ports to meet demand.

Broader Industry Context

The analysis was part of a larger report, "ChargerHelp Annual Reliability Report: The State of EV Charging and the Driver Experience," reviewed by Professor Tal and comprising varied data sources, including third-party data from Paren Inc. and the US DOE’s AFDC database. Despite substantial growth in EV sales—nationwide figures saw a 52 percent increase in 2023—insufficient charging infrastructure undermines confidence among potential buyers. In a recent poll, over half of Americans cited inadequate charging infrastructure as a decisive factor against purchasing an EV, with one in five charging attempts at public stations failing.

Recommendations and Future Directions

Key findings indicate notable gaps in interoperability, affecting the compatibility of vehicles, charging stations, networks, and grid systems. For true uptime to surpass the self-reported figures, the report recommends:

1. Enhancing Data Accessibility: Establishing consistent data sharing protocols.

2. Standardized Uptime Reporting:Utilizing standardized metrics for precise uptime measurement.

3. Funding Operations and Maintenance: Securing specific funding for O&M.

4. Comprehensive Warranty and Training: Implementing thorough warranty coverage and boosting technician training.

5. Leading Practices: Promoting best practices in the industry.

Kameale Terry, co-founder and CEO of ChargerHelp, emphasized the need for a standardized, synchronized approach to data, maintenance, and communication networks to foster a more reliable charging infrastructure, ensuring the EV market's continued growth.