6 Reasons Why Fast Charging is Critical

EVCS Level 3 chargers are capable of charging an EV battery to 80% capacity within 20 minutes on most vehicles. They are sleek, efficient, convenient, work with any EV, can function in myriad conditions, and are connected by a powerful network with an easy-to-use interface. By all measures, Level 3 charging – or fast charging – is not only an important link in the electric mobility chain as society transitions away from fossil fuels but a critical one to the goal of mass EV adoption.

Below are six key reasons why we believe fast charging is a key piece of the technology puzzle whose time has come.

1) Not All Drivers Can Charge at Home

Installing a Level 1 or Level 2 charger at a single-family home is easy and allows the EV owner to power up overnight. But what about renters who live in guesthouses, townhomes, multi-unit dwellings and other properties that haven’t installed chargers? They often have no recourse if the property owner says no to the idea. Moreover, what if work isn’t an option either? Fast chargers installed at publicly accessible sites offer a practical solution for many drivers, who can fully charge their EVs in the time it takes to, say, eat lunch or buy groceries for the week.

2) Extended Range in a Shorter Time

Imagine you’re on a vacation with your family, traveling across the vast open arteries of the American highway system. You pull over to grab a bite while your EV charges. You want to be back on the road in 30 minutes and go at least another 200 miles before your next charge. Only a fast charger (like the ones EVCS has installed all along the West Coast Electric Highway) will provide the kind of range long-distance travelers want in limited time windows. Americans are used to getting what they want quickly and easily, which is why limited dwell time must align with an applicable charging solution.

3) One Charger Can Service More Drivers

As EVs become more prevalent, the practicality of slower Level 2 chargers in the public arena radically diminishes. More EVs on the road means chargers will need to service each vehicle quicker to avoid long lines and wait times. Current charging capacity means an average of three to five cars can be serviced per hour at each charger, but as infrastructure evolves over the next decade, higher kilowatt-hour networks should be able to increase that figure up to seven-fold.

4) It Incentivizes Greater EV Participation

According to polling conducted by Geotab, one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption was that EVs require “significantly longer charging times [when] compared to fuel pump refill times for internal combustion-powered vehicles” along with a “[limited] availability of public charging stations.” With companies like EVCS installing more fast chargers, however, concerns like these will gradually erode and more hold-outs will convert to electric mobility.

5) It’s A Financial Win for Businesses

The transition to EVs is being expedited by fast chargers, which can be installed in many places gas stations can’t. In fact, just about any business property can host them. “EV chargers can be installed in almost any location that’s connected to the power grid,” says Vox writer Rebecca Heilweil in her article, “The Death of the Gas Station.” Retailers will find Level 3 infrastructure boosts their bottom line, adding a new revenue stream as they share in profits generated by their chargers. And companies with fleets will find it far more cost-effective for refueling large numbers of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

6) It Will Ultimately Drive Innovation

While some critics express concerns about DCFCs depleting overall battery life, more resilient batteries with higher energy density are already being developed to address the increase in Level 3 charging. In addition, fast charging is spurring other developments in electric mobility such as greater energy conversion efficiency, bi-directional V2G technology, and more robust cloud-based networks. In time, such technological advancements will significantly bring down costs across the entire EV industry.

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Spectrum News: SoCal Company Looks to Meet Growing Need for EV Charging Stations

Recently, our CEO and co-founder, Gustavo Occhiuzzo, was featured in a Spectrum News 1 segment titled “Inside the Issues” with Alex Cohen. He was able to not only convey the challenges we face as we work toward a more electric future, but also the strides EVCS has already made in addressing those challenges as well as some of our most significant achievements. Examples include our deal with LADOT to install DC fast chargers at 57 city-owned lots, our doubling of non-Tesla chargers in LA since last year alone, and the fact that EVCS has become one of the largest and fastest growing installers of EV charging stations on the West Coast in less than three years. See the interview clip and accompanying article below to learn more.

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Recently, we listened to Vox’s Umair Irfan discuss on his Today, Explained podcast how Norway has been trailblazing in the world of electric mobility and what strides the US can make to follow suit. We not only found the episode a fascinating exploration of how our Scandinavian friends serve as both innovators and motivators, but it elucidated ways in which EVCS can and has been working toward similar goals within the US. Below are some of the key takeaways from the podcast as well as how it relates to what we’re doing here and now.

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One of the most common criticisms foisted on the electric mobility industry is that EVs are not technically carbon neutral since the electricity needed to power them is generated through fossil fuels, including coal and natural gas. This argument is not without merit and presents those of us in the EV infrastructure sector with yet another lofty goal – true carbon neutrality through electrical grids powered by renewable energy sources like wind and solar. And our most recent press release discusses how we at EVCS are doing just that.

EVCS Secures Credit Facility with Macquarie Group (Newswire)

We recently employed PR firm Firecracker to help us get the word out about all of the wonderful things EVCS is doing to make an all-electric future a reality. One major step toward this goal was our securing a credit facility that would allow for accelerated expansion of EV infrastructure, giving us confidence that the financial support required would be available when we needed it. Our PR team then went to work, drafting the following press release that outlines the particulars of this momentous achievement:

Installation of the Month (April 2021): Hilton Hotel & Plaza San Gabriel

Hilton is one of the most recognizable and respected organizations in the world. They own 18 different brands and more than 6,400 properties in 119 countries. Since 1925, they’ve been a model of the hospitality industry – synonymous with customer relations, integrity and innovation, which extends into areas like sustainability and the environment. Their website’s “Corporate Responsibility” page cites a commitment to fighting climate change, stating: “We seek to operate and grow sustainably, reducing our consumption of natural resources… We are proud to have set carbon reduction targets aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement.” And they continue to back up this commitment, including recently asking us to install EV charging banks at one of their key Los Angeles locations.