Industry Voices | Addressing the Gaps in America’s EV Charging Infrastructure

The electric-vehicle market in the U.S. is maturing, signaling a shift toward cleaner transportation. With rising awareness of the cost savings and benefits of EV ownership, consumers are exploring electric alternatives at record rates.

According to the Global EV Outlook 2024 by the International Energy Agency, the U.S. recorded 1.4 million new electric-car registrations in 2023 – a 40% increase from 2022. First-quarter EV sales in 2024 reached approximately 350,000, marking a 15% year-over-year increase.

Despite these gains, the EV market faces significant challenges. A primary obstacle for consumers is inadequate public charging infrastructure, particularly for those without at-home charging options. Findings from YouGov’s 2024 Survey on U.S. EV Adoption reveal that 36% of respondents cited charging time as a barrier, 31% noted an insufficient number of charging stations, and 30% described charging as inconvenient. As EV sales rise, the gap between adoption and accessible charging infrastructure has grown, with some U.S. regions struggling due to geographic challenges and limited investment.

The Critical Role of Public Charging for Access to EVs Accessibility

For many EV owners, public charging is not just a convenience but a necessity. While home chargers meet daily needs for some, millions of Americans lack access to private chargers. Urban residents, apartment dwellers and those in multi-unit buildings rely on public charging networks. To serve these populations, public chargers must be convenient, fast and consistently operational.

Public charging is vital for widespread EV adoption. It complements home charging by enabling longer trips, managing emergencies and covering cases when home charging isn’t enough. An effective network supports all EV drivers – those with and without home chargers – by ensuring flexible, long-distance travel and providing a safety net for urban and rural drivers alike. However, the current network falls short, leaving drivers in high-density and underserved areas with limited options.

Tesla owns, operates world’s largest network of EV fast chargers.

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

HERE Technologies and SBD Automotive recently published the 2024 HERE-SBD EV Index, assessing America’s readiness for EV adoption. The Index evaluates factors such as:
 

Currently, only Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Washington, DC, have ideal EV-to-charger ratios, thanks to coordinated policies and significant investments. Delaware, Massachusetts and Washington, DC, lead in EV readiness, with Delaware excelling due to its rapid expansion in both EV sales and high-power charging infrastructure. These states highlight the potential of collaborative efforts among governments, private sectors and communities.

Conversely, states like Alaska and Arkansas face geographic and investment challenges, hindering their progress. Sparse road networks and limited funding exacerbate infrastructure gaps, leaving many regions underserved.

Challenges Hindering Infrastructure Improvements

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program aims to accelerate EV infrastructure development but has faced delays. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, by Q3 2024, only 69 NEVI-funded charge points were installed, falling short of targets.

Several factors contribute to these setbacks. Permitting delays, operational inefficiencies and maintenance issues create bottlenecks. According to the HERE-SBD EV Index, more than 10% of chargers in Alaska, West Virginia, Hawaii and Washington, DC, were out of service, with Hawaii’s rate exceeding 21%. Compatibility issues between chargers and vehicles further undermine public confidence, slowing EV adoption for those reliant on public networks.

Wallbox one of several home EV chargers on market.

The Road to Seamless EV Mobility

Bridging the EV infrastructure gap requires prioritizing public charging accessibility and reliability through a three-pronged approach:

As EV sales grow, expanding public charging infrastructure is critical to foster adoption and provide equitable access for those without home chargers. Streamlining installation, addressing reliability issues and offering convenient options for all drivers will ensure EVs become a viable choice nationwide.

Collaboration between federal, state and local governments and private investment is essential to scaling America’s charging network. By investing in infrastructure, incentivizing private-sector engagement and building technical capacity, the U.S. can accelerate its transition to electric mobility. This investment paves the way for a cleaner, more inclusive transportation system that meets the needs of all EV drivers.