The Future of EV Charging Infrastructure: Expansion of Networks to Match a Growing Market
As electric vehicle adoption accelerates, the demand for comprehensive EV charging infrastructure has become a critical focus for businesses seeking full-service engineering solutions. It is in knowing the current landscape and future trends in EV charging that will separate companies in this rapidly changing market.
Current State of EV Charging Infrastructure
Public access to EV charging stations continue to be unequal between urban and rural communities despite having grown significantly in the U.S. over recent years. While about 80 percent of all EV charging happens at home, as the fleet is growing, there is an increasing need for publicly available charging stations for long-distance driving and those who cannot charge at home.
Key Indicators of Growth
- Accessibility: A large proportion of Americans are within two miles of a public charging station, reflecting improvements in accessibility.
- Geographic Reach: The majority of Americans draw residence in counties with at least one public charging station, therefore representing wide geographic coverage.
- Speed of Expansion: New public chargers are still being added, in a process under way to try and meet the growing demand.
While this is progress, rural areas remain underserved, and the restrictions on installing EV chargers at highway rest stops in many states limit convenient access for long-distance travelers. These challenges make the case for strategic expansion to ensure equity in access to charging infrastructure.
Expanding EV Infrastructure at Highway Rest Stops
For the time being, however, a big constraint on using electric vehicles for long-distance driving is the absence of highway charging infrastructure. Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the NEVI program invests $5 billion over five years to deploy a network of EV chargers along Alternative Fuel Corridors, building the first-ever national network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The work includes partnering with states and private entities to locate EV charging at or near highway rest stops whenever legally possible.
Advantages of using Highway Rest Stop Chargers
- Convenience for Drivers: Chargers along rest stops enable EV owners to have seamless travel across long highways.
- Increased Use of Infrastructure: The addition of EV charging can make underutilized rest areas functional and relevant to modern transportation needs.
- Rural Connectivity: Rest stop chargers provide essential support in rural areas, which may have limited options when it comes to such public charging.
By integrating rest stops with EV chargers, the NEVI program changes the perception in people’s minds about EVs from options available only within cities to viable ones for inters-state travel.
Growing the EV Charging Network
This rapid growth is driven by a combination of rapid EV adoption, substantial public funding, and ongoing technological improvement. The fast-growing electric vehicle sales automatically ensure increased demand for accessible charging solutions that will be in need of an efficient network to accommodate the increased number of EVs on the road. The investment in charging infrastructure projects by federal and state programs is at an all-time high, which, in turn, makes the installation of new charging stations easier to be implemented by businesses and developers. Simultaneously, advances in technology—such as faster charging speeds and the integration of renewable energy sources—are revolutionizing the industry and making EV charging more efficient, sustainable, and widely accessible.
High-Power Charging: Reducing Wait Times
Speed of charging remains one of the most important factors in consumer acceptance. High Power Charging uses DC at much higher power compared to conventional chargers. Advanced chargers, such as Tesla’s V3 Superchargers and Electrify America’s 350 kW stations, are leading the way, with charge times as low as 20 minutes for a near-full battery. Faster charging improves the user experience, but also improves station efficiency through reduced waiting times and increased user flow.
Integrating Renewable Energy with EV Charging
To further reduce grid dependency and boost sustainability, most EV charging stations now incorporate on-site renewable energy. Solar-powered stations-especially those in regions rich in sunlight-offer flexibility and efficiency in providing clean energy supplies for the charging of EVs. In great contrast, there are also new wind turbines complete with integrated charging points to bring an innovative charging alternative in countries with significant wind resources and increase the reach for renewable-powered electric vehicle infrastructure. These advancements will not only support a more sustainable transportation network but also help alleviate the growing strain on the electrical grid, enabling a path toward a greener and resilient future.
KMB Design Group: Your Expert Partner for EV Charging Infrastructure
A strategic move for any business or developer looking to get ahead in the industry would be to start investing in EV charging infrastructure while the demand continues to grow rapidly. By installing charging stations now, companies can get ahead of evolving government regulations, ensuring compliance with future mandates while increases its value, positioning businesses as leaders in sustainable development. EV charging also brings in customers and investors alike who appreciate sustainability and innovation, reinforcing a commitment to a cleaner, more efficient future.
KMB Design Group is in the forefront with EV charging infrastructure engineering, featuring:
- Site-Specific Engineering: Design capabilities to achieve superior performance and optimal efficiency.
- Permitting and Compliance: Expedited approvals through all local, state, and federal regulations.
- Project Management: Concept to completion turnkey solutions.
At KMB Design Group, we are committed to accelerating the world toward sustainable transportation. Be it developing a single charging station or an entire network, we have acquired the expertise and resources that will guide you through bringing your vision into reality. Contact us today to discuss your EV charging infrastructure needs.