4 Key Features for Building Out Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. As the globe progresses toward zero-emission transportation alternatives, the gentle hum of electric vehicles is beginning to replace the scream of internal combustion engines on our roads.
4 Key Features for Building Out Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
EV sales increased by an anticipated 109% from 2020 to 2021 and were on a similar trajectory in the first half of 2022. According to AutoPacific, about 700,000 full-battery EVs will be sold in the United States in 2022, with that figure expected to rise to 2.5 million by the end of 2027. As the amount of electric vehicles on the road grows, it is critical to expand the charging infrastructure.
Local governments and companies face both a challenge and an opportunity. With $5 billion from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure or NEVI, programme heading to states, as well as $2.5 billion in extra grant monies for local charging infrastructure, now is the moment for states and municipalities to focus more on EV chargers.
By 2030, NEVI will have funded the installation of at least 500,000 further charging stations in the United States. The program’s funds will be distributed to states over a five-year period, with the emphasis being to establish chargers in Alternative Fuel Corridors, mostly along the interstate highway system. Real estate owners, charger operators, governments, and others must consider how and where to establish EV charging stations in light of NEVI.
Those who are the first to install public EV charging stations will benefit. For example, EV owners who can charge their vehicles quickly at a handy retail location are more inclined to shop there while charging. Furthermore, EV charging stations generate additional revenue streams for company owners through charging fees and integrated marketing, all while demonstrating the retailer’s commitment to sustainability.
Key Features of Electric Vehicle Charging Station
EV drivers have special requirements. This means that user-specific charging scenarios are needed to enable a wide range of driver behaviours that differ from the typical gasoline fueling station model.
Long-distance drivers, for example, require fast-charging facilities near highway exits. Although the majority of EV owners presently charge their vehicles at home, many owners live in houses or apartments where installing private charging stations may be challenging. These drivers will need to look for local parking lots, garages, or on-street stations.
Similarly, EV fleet operators may travel larger distances or have shorter stay periods than the usual commuter, necessitating the installation of direct current fast-charging stations along regularly frequented routes. Delivery trucks and city buses, for example, will require charging stations along their established routes for the best efficiency.
Governments and companies will need to carefully plan the logistics of charging stations. Owners and operators should consider the following factors:
1. Charging power and plug type
Because vehicles recharge at different rates, not all EV charging stations are made equal. In terms of cost and user experience, determining the power level to give is crucial. The plug type is particularly crucial to consider because there are currently many plug types in use, despite the industry’s efforts to standardise.
2. Examine building codes to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
Some EV drivers may require accommodations while using charging stations, and local rules requiring a specific number of places to be wheelchair accessible are being drafted. Furthermore, plugs on EVs are not always situated in the same location. It is critical to ensure that the parking spot has enough space for the driver to reach the plug on their EV, which could be on any side of the vehicle, and that it is in a secure and safe area where people with disabilities can access it.
3. Grid power is available
To reduce the size and expense of installation, EV chargers should be installed close to power sources. Integration with on-site renewable energy production is ideal in some circumstances since it can generate some or all of the electricity required for charging. It is critical to collaborate with your utility provider to verify that the grid can offer enough power, as well as with the local authorities to secure the necessary permissions and inspections.
4. Social Justice
As electric vehicles advance beyond the early adopters in cities and into the mainstream, it will be critical to ensure that all citizens have access to charging stations. This means that equal coverage in underserved communities and rural America must be part of smart infrastructure design.
EV adoption will continue to accelerate. To keep ahead of the curve, governments, property owners, and other stakeholders must design reasonable, attainable, and scalable charging infrastructure plans.
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