With predictions indicating a surge to 18.7 million electric vehicles (EVs) crisscrossing US roads by 2030, the Charge Ahead Partnership (CAP), an alliance of businesses, associations, and individuals, advocates for a review and expansion of the national EV charging network.
The Vision of the Charge Ahead Partnership
CAP aims to collaborate with policy-makers to ensure the country’s charging infrastructure is equipped for the future, offering quality service, safety, and cost-effective fees. Their proposal includes a comprehensive charging network akin to the conventional US refueling system.
CAP emphasizes the importance of empowering consumers rather than allowing power corporations to control the industry completely.
CAP communicates its commitment to diverse stakeholders — from environmentalists eager to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, business interests in the EV charging market, and customers concerned about increasing home electricity costs due to EV charging.
The Strategy Proposed by The Charge Ahead Partnership
CAP believes in a competitive, market-inspired tactic for broadening the EV charging network. This approach assures customers of the viability of switching to EVs, and it addresses the worries of “range anxiety.”
Overcoming the Challenges to Expand Charging Infrastructure
One of the significant hurdles in expanding EV charging infrastructure has been the exorbitant costs associated with the demand pricing method. Demand charges are elements of commercial and industrial electricity bills calculated based on the highest energy usage during any 15-minute period throughout the month.
This pricing model becomes particularly burdensome when multiple EV chargers are used simultaneously, even if only for a brief period. Small business owners find these charges unpredictable and a severe financial burden while considering adding EV charging options at their locations.
The Problem of Demand Charge Rates
Demand charge rates can be a deciding factor against the installation of EV chargers by small businesses. For instance, if four cars simultaneously charged at a 150kW charger, pulling 600kW of power, the demand charge could be as high as $10 per kW, making the process prohibitively expensive.
Possible Solutions to the Problem of Demand Charge Rates
One potential solution discussed was the implementation of onsite storage battery systems. however, such systems have drawbacks. These include the initial cost of buying a massive battery, potential space constraints, and potentially becoming outdated in a few years due to rapid technological advancements.
Critique of the Current Charging System
CAP critiques the present EV charging network, primarily dictated by power companies. According to CAP, this system neither benefits consumers nor promotes the growth of the EV charging industry. Instead, CAP argues that while power companies play a crucial role in the future of EVs, they should not monopolize the network and should instead be led by consumer needs.
State Legislations to Address the issue
Some states, like Massachusetts, have taken legislative actions to address the high EV charger demand charges. Other states have also proposed alternatives to mitigate the high demand charges associated with installing fast EV chargers. As a consumer, you can advocate for lower demand charges and support the expansion of the EV charging network.
The surge in sales of EVs is really looking up