AP Says Slow Charging Hampering EV Adoption – I Say ICE Fueling Mentality Is
By Edward A. Sanchez – June 8, 2021
This week, the Associated Press posted a story noting how slow charging (or the public perception thereof) is hampering the adoption of electric cars by consumers. In the article, it noted that the current charging infrastructure is predominantly Level 2, which delivers the equivalent of 15-20 miles of charge per hour. The article claims the cognitive dissonance between EV charging times and the near-instant refueling of ICE vehicles is giving consumers cold feet when jumping into the world of EVs.
I have written multiple articles on The Watt Car about the EV ownership and charging experience and the required mental shift to make it pleasant and practical as opposed to anxiety-inducing. I will also admit I’m probably spoiled and biased being a Tesla owner, as the company had the foresight of building out a nationwide (and global) fast-charging network well ahead of ramping up its sales and production volume. That’s not to say Tesla’s network isn’t occasionally overwhelmed by demand. But generally speaking, the availability, reliability, and state of repair of Tesla superchargers seems to be ahead of many of their peers. It also doesn’t hurt that Tesla’s proprietary charging plug and port design effectively locks out all other EVs.
I’m also borderline OCD about being prepared (ironic, considering I never got further than the Cub Scouts), carrying a mobile charger, a 50-amp extension cord, and set of seven plug adapters with me in the car at all times. I know I’m an outlier among most motorists, and even among EV drivers. Most people just want to get in their car with the expectation it will get them where they want to go with a minimum of hassle and inconvenience.
Some of the anxiety and hesitancy among potential EV buyers is rational. The public charging infrastructure, specifically Level 3 DC charging, is inadequate in most parts of the country, especially for road-tripping. Charging points are often poorly maintained, located in hard-to-access areas, and difficult to initiate charging and process payments.
That said, it only takes a slight mental pivot to adjust to the new reality of EV ownership and charging. Rather than looking for a quick 5-10 minute in-and-out refueling stop, drivers should plan their charging around errands or tasks that take a few hours. That could be recharging at work (if it’s an option) or at a shopping center. If you have a home Level 2 charger, it’s plugging it in before bedtime. However, relying on the slow-drip of Level 1 charging is a whole other matter.
Plugging in at work or when running errands changes the dynamic of EV ownership.
The other big issue is the potential cost of installing a Level 2 charging system at home, which including the charging station, necessary wiring, and potential panel upgrades, could run into the thousands of dollars. Yes, that’s not an insubstantial amount. But over the course of several years, the investment of paying for that Level 2 charging at home will more than pay for itself in fuel savings.
Nobody (especially not hard-headed and notoriously independence-minded Americans) like being told what to do. Every time I hear the term “education” used in the context of conditioning and preparing motorists for the coming EV revolution, I cringe a little, only because of the condescending and didactic overtones the word conveys. Yet at the same time, I know it’s true. Owning an EV now, and for the foreseeable future, will require a change in perspective, expectations, and routine from owning an ICE vehicle.
The harsh fact is that while engineers are working feverishly to emulate the ICE charging experience with ever-faster “fast chargers,” we are probably decades away from matching liquid hydrocarbon fuels and ICE powerplants in terms of refueling time and convenience. But with a slight mental shift in vehicle ownership, this isn’t a problem.
(Images by Phil Royle)
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