A Barrage of New EV Models Requires More Infrastructure

According to a recent article in Forbes, Americans will purchase approximately two million EVs in 2022. Dr. Shelley Francis, co-founder, and director of EVHybridNoire notes that demand is increasing “as public perception of the technology shifts from novelty to mainstream,” thanks primarily to the plethora of new EV models hitting the market and a rapid expansion of infrastructure spearheaded by fast-charging network operators like EVCS.

As we’ve noted in the past, the large influx of new EV models is partly due to the hearty embrace of electric mobility technology by almost every major automaker on the planet, several of whom have announced their intention to phase out ICE manufacturing altogether within the next decade. Consumers are seeing a confluence of established brands like Audi, Volkswagen, and Ford with innovative new EV-only manufacturers like Polestar, Tesla, and Lucid Motors. Whether it’s the sporty Audi A6 e-tron, the rugged Ford F-150 Lightning, the luxurious Lucid Air, or the more economical Kia EV6, it seems the marketplace really does have something for everyone.

Also propelling the surging demand for these new EVs is a sui generis suite of features coveted by discerning young buyers who are looking for a unique driving experience. Examples abound. The Polestar 2 (and soon 3) with its origami-inspired headlights controlled by a front camera that can detect oncoming drivers and adjust brightness in real-time. The Mustang Mach E with its front trunk, or “frunk,” and Co-Pilot360 Assist that combines adaptive cruise control with lane-centering to reduce fatigue. Or the VW ID4’s voice-operated panoramic roof and ultra-efficient electric-resistance heater.

It’s true that EVs typically cost a little more upfront than their ICE counterparts, but this is largely due to the fact that the former come better equipped, with features otherwise considered “luxury” in the ICE version offered standard on the EV model. However, when also factoring in tax subsidies and rising gas prices, the ultimate cost to EV owners over the life of their vehicle is often considerably less than for ICE owners.

What does rapidly growing EV sales mean for charging infrastructure? Well, when combined with recent legislative victories and the deluge in new government funding, we believe 2022 is poised to see a huge uptick in publicly accessible DC fast chargers. The Golden State alone recently approved a $437 million fund to build over 40,000 charging ports, the largest-ever program of its kind, and according to McKinsey & Co’s recent report, energy demand for EV charging could top 53 billion kWh by 2030, an increase of about 20-fold.

As EV adoption continues to grow, going to a store, restaurant, café, theater, or sporting event will become a multi-purpose experience. People will charge up while they shop, eat, and get entertained. Chargers will necessarily become more abundant at such venues. Moreover, our symbiotic relationship with automakers means we will continue to improve our technology in tandem with the newest and hottest EVs. As such, we foresee a future where things like V2G, adaptive demand response, and faster charging times are the norm.

Bottom line: no matter what model EV we’re talking about, EVCS is committed to making the driver’s experience an exceptional one. Our charging ports work with every known EV model on the road, our monthly subscription plan is suitable for any budget level, our easy-to-use mobile app allows drivers to quickly find available chargers on our network and our customer service is second to none. So, bring on the coolest, sleekest, gnarliest new EVs you can imagine! We’re ready for all of them!

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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.

Catering to Niche Markets

EV drivers are as unique as the cars they own. All have special reasons why electric mobility is the sensible choice for them. In that vein, we recognize that building a massive new EV network is not a one-size-fits all strategy, but one that takes into account the needs of niche groups across the country. Below is just a smattering of the smaller market subsets we have in mind as we aim to make the transition to electric feel more personal and individualistic based on things like interests, jobs, and locale.

How the Ukrainian Crisis Could Affect the EV Market

As the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, concerns over how a prolonged incursion may affect global markets has become a frequent topic of discussion, even as major world powers issue a raft of sanctions against Russia in an effort to end the conflict sooner. There are certain to be ramifications for the EV industry specifically as a consequence of the dispute, some of which we’re already starting to see, although their duration and severity are still in question. Here are some of the most prominent.

How EVCS is Helping Change America’s EV Charging Experience

As most of us know, Congress recently approved $7.5 billion in spending for new EV charging installations as part of the larger infrastructure bill, which we expect will help facilitate a speedier transition away from fossil fuels. Even with EV sales increasing in recent years, reports suggest that 25 percent of all carbon emissions still come from the tailpipe, so anything the government can do to kick things up a notch is surely welcome. However, even with such a sizable investment, many challenges still exist that network operators like EVCS will have to help overcome. In a recent article on TheVerge.com, several prescient examples were cited of core areas to focus on if we want to make mass EV adoption a reality. Below are a few such areas and how EVCS is addressing them.

Installation of the Month (February 2022): Sierra Commons Shopping Plaza

The next stage in the evolution of EV charging will be a network operator’s ability to target consumers with advertising and media content pertinent to their demographic. Our recent partnership with minority-owned iKahan Media has afforded us just that opportunity, allowing for the expansion and creation of “a digital billboard network combining EVCS chargers with state-of-the-art LED screens,” as reported last year in a release on PR Newswire. (You can read that entire piece here) Such an initiative is intended to improve the economics of public charging by generating an additional revenue stream for both us and site hosts, providing advertisers with a select new platform for reaching consumers, and increasing value for EV drivers who want to see content that’s relevant to them.