Shock Talk: Sparking Conversations about EV Charging Infrastructure

Welcome to 2023, where the electric vehicle market is thriving like never before! Regardless of where you are in the world, you can't help but notice the surge of EVs on the road. This year's growth has exceeded all expectations, setting a new standard for what's possible in sustainable transportation. There are two significant factors driving the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) in the automotive industry. Firstly, an increasing number of automakers are introducing new EV models and are actively promoting them, leading to a rise in consumer awareness and interest in these vehicles. As a result, EVs have now become a viable option for many new car buyers. Secondly, governments across the world are considering a shift towards zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) as a means to decarbonize their transportation sectors. This move comes with a strong support for both OEMs and consumers in terms of favorable policies and subsidies to make and buy EVs. If we look at some numbers to gain perspective, the sales of electric cars across the globe in the first quarter of 2022 hit 2 million, up 75% from the same period in 2021.

While these numbers are optimistic and encouraging, the state of EV charging infrastructure remains a big hurdle in the large-scale adoption of EVs. The lack of adequate charging stations is causing what is known as 'range anxiety' among existing and potential EV owners. 

The Current State of EV Charging Infrastructure in the U.S.

According to the U.S. DoE's Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), there are over 100,000 charging stations in the U.S. as of 2022. A quick analysis of the AFDC data tells us that over 25% of them are located in California and the rest of them are scattered across the country. 

Source: AFDC, Revati's Tableau public: https://public.tableau.com/shared/CMFXKS4R4?:display_count=n&:origin=viz_share_link 

While this may sound like a significant number, it is still not enough to meet the growing demand for EVs. According to a report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the U.S. needs 9.6 million public charging ports to support 50 million EVs by 2030. To support the growing demand for charging stations, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a new plan of action that sets a course for achieving the national goal of building a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers along America’s highways and communities by 2030. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has pledged USD 7.5 billion in EV charging, USD10 billion in clean transportation, and over USD 7 billion in EV battery components, critical minerals, and materials. Along with several other initiatives, the government on February 15, 2023, signed a partnership with Tesla, Inc. to enhance the network of EV chargers in the U.S. Through this partnership, Tesla has agreed to open a portion of its U.S. Supercharger and Destination Charger network to non-Tesla EVs, making at least 7,500 chargers available for all EVs by the end of 2024. These chargers will be accessible to non-Tesla drivers through an app and at an additional cost. Many in the industry wonder why Tesla has agreed to open up its exclusive charging network to its competitors. Tesla's Super Charger network is one of its key value propositions that provides it with a competitive advantage. So, what's in it for Tesla? An in-depth analysis of the charging stations data from AFDC could help answer the question. But first, lets talk about connectors!

The Question of Connectors

Challenges in the charging infrastructure industry are not just limited to the number of accessible stations. There is more to it. One of the biggest obstacles facing the EV charging infrastructure is the lack of standardization. There are currently different types of charging stations with different connectors. Compare it to the different chargers that we have for Android and iOS devices, if you will. There are also different charging speeds, with some stations offering fast charging and others only providing slow charging. This makes it difficult for EV owners to charge their vehicles conveniently. 

Source: AFDC, Revati's Tableau public: https://public.tableau.com/shared/CMFXKS4R4?:display_count=n&:origin=viz_share_link

The most common classification of charging infrastructure is based on the rate at which vehicles can be charged, once plugged in. The EV chargers are broadly divided into Level 1, Level 2 and DC Fast Chargers. Level 1 chargers offer approximately 5 miles of range per 1 hour of charging. They use the J1772 connector and comprise of less than 2% of the total chargers in the U.S. as a result of their inefficiency. Over 80% of the public charging ports are Level 2 chargers which offer about 25 miles of range per hour of charging. They offer up to 30 Amps, delivering 7.2 kW of power, making them popular at most home, public and workspace charging stations. These chargers also use the J1772 connectors. It is important to note that Tesla vehicles have a unique connector that works for all their charging options, including their Level 2 Destination Chargers and chargers for home. All Tesla vehicles come with a J1772 adapter, which allows them to use non-Tesla charging equipment. 

The third type is the Direct-current fast charging (DCFC) equipment (typically a three-phase AC input) that enables rapid charging along heavy traffic corridors at installed stations. The AFDC data analysis shows that just over 15% of all EV chargers in the U.S. are DCFCs, with Tesla owning most of them (over 19,000) as of 2022. This monopoly in the DCFC space might have encouraged the company to open its charging network to non-tesla vehicles. It is believed that Tesla will charge a premium rate for other vehicles to utilize the Supercharger network. The quick rise in adoption of electric commercial vehicles such as buses, delivery trucks and long-haul trucks presents Tesla with an opportunity to capitalize on its Supercharger network and increase its market share and revenues in the EV charging industry space. 

At the end of the day, partnerships between the government and private charging network providers are a big win for EV adoption in the U.S. With the proposed plans and investments, we can hope to see a significant improvement in the EV charging infrastructure in the coming years. It is time to spark conversations about EV charging infrastructure and work towards a sustainable future.

ChatGPT's take on EVs

Hello readers!

Happy New Year! Unless you have been living under a rock, you are well aware that ChatGPT is the new buzz! I know I am probably late to the party, but I finally decided to give it a try. I am still in the holiday spirit and have been procrastinating about writing a new blog for the past few weeks, so I thought, what better than having ChatGPT write it for me! For those of you who are not familiar with the hottest AI in town, ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence-based chatbot launched by OpenAI in November 2022. The model interacts with users in a conversational way, answers follow-up questions, admits its mistakes, challenges incorrect premises, and even rejects inappropriate requests. I wanted the chatbot to write me a blog with suggestions for the best electric cars to buy in 2023 with a little background on the benefits of EVs. And the results were impressive! 

My Prompt

I want you to act as a blogger. You will write an article about electric vehicles and their advantages as compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. You may compare the two based on metrics such as carbon emissions and cost of ownership. You will also suggest the best electric cars to buy, that will be launched in the year 2023. My first suggestion request is "Recommend the best electric car I should buy in 2023?"

ChatGPT's Response

Electric Vehicles: What to Expect in 2023

The automotive market is changing. With the increased emphasis on reducing emissions, the electric vehicle is set to overtake the internal combustion engine vehicle in the next decade. Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular, with the potential to drastically reduce emissions and save on cost of ownership compared to traditional cars.
So, what should you look out for in 2023?
First, when it comes to emissions, EVs are leaps and bounds ahead of internal combustion engine vehicles. With no exhaust or emissions, electric cars are much cleaner and more efficient than traditional cars. Additionally, electric vehicles can reduce fuel costs, making them more cost-effective in the long run.
Second, electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, with the market expected to grow exponentially in the next few years. Thus, in 2023, you should expect a wide selection of electric cars to choose from.
Finally, when it comes to choosing the best electric car to buy in 2023, there are a few key factors to consider. Range, charging speed, and battery life are all important factors to consider. Additionally, the car’s safety and performance ratings are important, as well as the car’s overall performance and reliability.

To help you get started, here are some of the best electric cars to buy in 2023:

Tesla Model 3 – The Tesla Model 3 is one of the most popular electric cars on the market. With a range of up to 310 miles, and a powerful battery, the Model 3 is a great choice for those looking to reduce their emissions.
Nissan Leaf – The Nissan Leaf is a great option for those looking for a reliable electric vehicle. With a range of up to 226 miles and a fast-charging battery, the Leaf is perfect for those who want an affordable and efficient electric car.
Volkswagen ID.3 – The Volkswagen ID.3 is the perfect car for those looking for a stylish and powerful electric vehicle. With a range of up to 342 miles, and an impressive battery, the ID.3 is sure to make an impression.
In conclusion, electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, and with the right research, you can find the perfect car for you in 2023. With the environmental and cost-saving benefits of electric cars, you can be sure to make the switch without regrets.

My Take

The AI tool is quite the expert! I love how it started with a background on the electric vehicle market along with the most important factors to consider when it comes to buying EVs. The response is well-structured and engaging. It does a good job with the recommendations as well! It lists the top three cars to consider buying based on all the critical features such as range, battery, and, emissions. Anybody looking for a new car to buy?!
Having said that, I also feel that the most important skill required to get ChatGPT to work for you is writing the prompt. To get better answers, one needs to ask better (and pinpointed) questions. I will most certainly be using the platform to get a lot of things done, but maybe not write more blogs!

On World EV Day 2022

Hello dear readers! 

It is a great day to talk about EVs! Just in time for World EV Day, the industry brings us some really exciting news. Manufacturers including BYD, Mercedes, Volvo, and Chevrolet are all making headlines with new launches and partnerships. Newbies in the industry such as Rivian, Bollinger Motors, and Mullen Automotive are taking bold steps, stirring up the industry.

Exciting Partnerships!

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The EV world is a-buzz with veteran automaker Mercedes-Benz and EV start-up Rivian joining hands to manufacture electric vans. The venture marks Rivian's first international expansion in the lucrative European market. The EV maker is all set to manufacture delivery vans based on its Rivian Light Van platform along with the Mercedes-Benz VAN.EA (MB Vans Electric Architecture). The company is expected to build on its expertise from the successful production of electric delivery vehicles for Amazon in the U.S. This is great news for the commercialization of electric vans and ramping up production in the segment. The trend might soon pass on to larger freight transport vehicles in the near future, especially with Mercedes-Benz (and Daimler) being in the picture. Yayy for electrification as two of the biggest supporters of electric mobility team up!  

In other news, EV fresh face Mullen Automotive has acquired 60 percent controlling stake in Bollinger Motors. Mullen invested over USD 148.2 million in this acquisition, aimed at producing class 3-8 trucks and SUVs by 2023.  With its existing class 1 and class 2 EV cargo van programs, Mullen and Bollinger together hope to make their mark in the electric commercial vehicle segment. Bollinger is also slated to restart production of its B1 & B2 electric SUVs, which just means more EVs on the road soon! 

Eccentric New Product Launches

Speaking of SUVs, Indian automobile manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra is gearing up to launch a new electric SUV model for the Indian market. With the soaring demand for SUVs in India, it is safe to say that the manufacturer is striking the iron while its hot. The company is banking on the success of its ICE XUV models to launch the new XUV400 electric with a range of over 450 km on a single charge! As per claims, the car will charge up to 80% in just 50 minutes with a fast charger. However, the limited charging infrastructure in India could make that a challenge for users. On the off-road front, Jeep is launching its first 4X4 electric SUV, Avenger at the Paris Motor Show in October 2022 with Europe and North America as key target markets. 

The upfront cost of EVs still remains a major pitfall in their widespread adoption. Car makers such as Chevrolet and Volkswagen have begun to cut down prices in response to the market sentiment. For instance, in June 2022, Chevrolet announced a price cut of a whopping USD 6,000 on the MSRP of the 2023 Bolt EV and EUV. The 2023 Volkswagen ID 4. is also expected to be sold at a starting price just north of USD 35,000. 

Electrifying Sales

EV sales are growing at an unprecedented rate all over the globe. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, all-electric car sales increased by 60% to reach over 160,000 in the U.S., in the first quarter of 2022. China still remains the largest EV producing and selling country across the globe with over one million electric cars sold by Q1 2022. Talking about China and its EV production, in September 2022, Chinese automaker BYD Auto overtook Tesla to become the highest-sold EV brand globally with sales mark hitting 2.18 million units as of Q2 2022! to wrap it up, there is much to be celebrated on this World EV Day as the electric mobility trend magnifies, not one, but several EV models at a time! 

Find out more about World EV Day here: www.worldevday.org

The Future of Transportation

The future of transportation is electric! Well, now you may say, tell us something we don’t know! And just that, I will, if you read this till the end!

EVs - A Bit of The Past and Present!

Transportation needs vehicles and all vehicles, in general, are becoming electric now. The electrification trend that started with cars and two-wheelers has now reached boats and campers in 2022. Arguably, the most important factors accelerating the sales and popularity of EVs across the globe include reducing the dependence on fossil fuels and harmful emissions from ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles. Companies such as General Motors and Ford are known to have started producing electric cars in response to the sudden rise in consumer inclination toward alternative fuel-powered cars in the 1990s. According to an article published by the New York Times on January 05, 1996, GM announced its plans to sell the first mass-market electric car in the Western states of the U.S. by July 1996. Industry analysts at the time speculated huge losses for the company, given the $350 million development cost for these cars! Fast forward to 25 years later…As reported by the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2021, new electric car sales crossed 6.6 million units, capturing a share of close to nine percent in the global car market.

Are We Really Reducing Emissions?

All this information is also pretty generic and might not be so new for most of you! What is coming next will however be. Let us remember why we started manufacturing EVs in the first place. To reduce emissions. And after 25 long years since the first commercial electric car came to market, have we done that? The European Economic Area (EEA) report published in 2017 signals that we haven’t been quite successful. The preliminary findings of the research suggest that average carbon emissions from passenger cars on European roads increased by 0.4 percent in 2017. The registrations of new battery electric vehicles in the EU increased by 51% in 2017 as compared to 2016. Such contradictory observations highlight the importance of electrifying medium- and heavy-duty vehicles significantly.

IEA says that only 5% of all four-wheeled vehicles on road are medium- and heavy-duty. However, these vehicles produce a whopping 30% of carbon emissions, even in 2020!  The key barriers to faster electrification and commercial adoption of HDVs such as freight trucks and buses still remain limited range and battery capacity. The delayed response of governments and regulatory authorities in setting up stricter emission standards for heavy and medium-duty EVs might also be the reason for their limited adoption across the globe. It was only in 2020 that the State of California first proposed a requirement for ZEV heavy-duty trucks in the U.S. The Advanced Clean Truck Regulation is due to be implemented in 2024. While the policy support for implementing and adopting electric buses is strong, electric trucks still lag behind.

The Electric Truck Revolution!

With that being said, not all is lost for electric trucks. Market giants such as Volvo Trucks and Daimler AG are at the forefront of developing improved batteries for commercial vehicles, especially, long haul trucks. For instance in May 2022, Volvo Trucks, with a mission to make 50% of its total truck sales electric by 2030, opened its first battery-assembly plant in Ghent, Belgium. The 90 kWh battery packs assembled at the plant are designed with a focus on Volvo’s six electric truck models including the more popular, Volvo FM, FH, and FMX trucks. What makes these battery packs even more unique is their ability to be remanufactured, refurbished, and reused! Exactly a year ago, in May 2021, Daimler Truck AG partnered with CATL, a Chinese battery manufacturer to jointly develop lithium-ion battery cell modules for its heavy-duty trucks including the Freightliner eCascadia, eM2, and, Mercedes-Benz eActros. The company claims that the eActros Long Haul will have a range of over 500 km on a single charge! With the rapid innovations in battery technologies and increasing range, electric trucks are set to be a promising future for the long-haul freight transportation and logistics industry.  

Here's an excellent article by Mr. Amit Bhatt, Managing Director, ICCT India that focuses on the adoption of electric trucks in India. 

Hello readers!

Hello readers! I am Revati, a proud yet humble author of this blog dedicated to the electric revolution in the automobile and mobility industry. That's why the name, EV-REV, no points for guessing that! :D 

I am a market research professional, a data enthusiast, and an MBA. But above all, I am a curious soul who has an infinite number of questions to ask and answers to find out. I developed an interest in electric vehicles early during my first job as a research associate. Thanks to my amazing mentors, I was bestowed with several opportunities to work on critical consulting projects in the electric vehicle and mobility sector. I have authored and contributed to detailed industry reports spanning a wide range of markets including electric motorcycles, scooters, cars, buses, heavy-duty trucks, and even boats and recreational vehicles. I love working on shared mobility concepts, and upcoming sustainable forms of transportation.

My passion for writing - journals, articles, stories, and industry reports - along with my love for EVs has encouraged me to start this blog. Through EV-REV, I will try to bring to you, my dear readers, some interesting facts, developments, and innovations in the EV industry. I will do my best to make sure that my blogs are worth your precious time! 

Here's hoping that EV-REV's readership grows as fast as the EV industry itself! 

Happy reading!

Best always, 
Revati Shinde