How Big a Deal is the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure?
A reader comments on my post in which I predicted a fairly rapid adoption of EVs and a corresponding diminution of internal combustion engines: such an event requires advances in technology and infrastructure that don’t currently exist.
While the author has a reasonable point, the charging infrastructure isn’t as big an issue as most people think, for several reasons:
1) Electricity is ubiquitous; you can unplug your toaster and plug in your car.
2) All gas stations (in the US at least) are pre-wired with 480V.
3) The nationwide fast-charging network initiated by Tesla is large and getting larger each month.
4) Few people want to drive more than 300 miles in a day, and that EV range will get here fairly soon.
5) Concerns for the health of the environment is the driver in a significant number of EV sales, and the big incentive here happens when coal is no longer the go-to source for predictable loads on the grid. We’re working hard to make that happen; we’ve recently decommissioned well over 100 coal-fired power plants. We have another 400 to go, but we’re making progress.
When all this happens (in the near future) we’re all going to be partying like the girl in the pic above.
Craig,
1) Electric charging facilities are not really ubiquitous. Not everyone lives in a suburban home with a adequate power charging facilities. From a standard outlet charging takes 10-12 hours. For those living in apartments, or with only street parking life charging remains difficult.
2)As the number of EV increases, so does demand for the number of charging points. Since the turn around time will be much slower than with filling gasoline, as the inconvenience factor increases, adoption slows.
3) Tesla’s charging structure is brilliant, but restricted to Tesla.
4) Soon ? Well that’s a very big statement. Propelling a vehicle with 4 occupants at freeway speeds, uses a lot of energy. It can certainly be done, but there are problems. (I guess it depends on what you mean by soon!)
5) Unfortunately, the significant factor driving EV sales is not environmental, but the level of government support. So far adoption has been very slow and hesitant. There will always be a small number of early adopters, and a wealthy elite market for products like Tesla. Analysis of world sales reveals a far slower adoption rate than your optimistic, (but laudable) enthusiasm predicts.
I guess we’ll see.
Marco,
With reference to point 1. You are correct that not everyone lives in suburbia. However, there is a common misconception that most people will operate an EV the way they do an ICE vehicle, specifically that they will charge from empty to full. Most EV drivers charge their vehicle whenever they are not driving it. and only need to replace the charge used since the last time they plugged in. 12 hours from empty but only 2 hours from 80% to full.
My point is that as the vehicles are becoming more mainstream, both the way we utilize the vehicles and the way we power them will adapt and change. Using preconceived notions based on how we use our old vehicles does not accurately predict, nor help to plan for the future.
Chris,
Thank you for your reply. What you say is true for a very small number of consumers who are very motivated toward EV usage.
Sadly, that’s just not enough to ensure volume sales. When even dedicated environmentalists like Craig can find reasons to prefer diesel, EV’s will remain far from becoming mainstream.
It’s even difficult to sell hybrid variations, despite the technology being proven convenient, economical and reliable.
But advancing technology is on the side of EV’s. Only last week I attended a display from a group of young Canadian and Australian scientists who are researching Hemp as a material to create economical and flexible super-capacitors.
The future of EV’s lies in the development of ESD capacity, not changing peoples lifestyles.
Craig I would agree with every point except electric vehicle charging is not really compatible with stations that dispense fuel.
-Mixing fuels and energy transfer that might cause a spark may be a safety issue.
-Lots of support goes into fire suppression and fire safety equipment at fueling stations. The type of fire suppression and the cost of the equipment is not directed at electrical fires which are unlikely in any event. An EV charging station does not need this overhead.
– The time required to charge a vehicle is not compatible with the rapid turnaround time desired for gasoline fueling stations.
These are two different industries. Petrochemical companies are unlikely to want to support competition.
I was referring to the fact that, in theory, gas stations can be easily and inexpensively converted to electric vehicle charging stations. You are correct in that the same location shouldn’t be providing the gasoline and electricity.
I’m not asserting that this will happen, only that it’s a possibility.