Industry Insights | Filling the Gaps in U.S. Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

The U.S. electric vehicle market is maturing, marking a shift toward clean transportation. As consumer awareness of the cost savings and benefits of EV ownership grows, a record number of consumers are exploring electric alternatives.

According to the International Energy Agency'sGlobal EV Outlook 2024, new EV registrations in the U.S. reached 1.4 million in 2023, a 40% increase from 2022. In the first quarter of 2024, EV sales were approximately 350,000 units, up 15% year-over-year.

Despite this progress, the EV market still faces significant challenges. One of the main barriers for consumers is insufficient public charging infrastructure, especially for those who cannot charge at home. YouGov's 2024U.S. EV Adoption Surveyshowed that 36% of respondents cited charging time as a barrier, 31% pointed to an insufficient number of charging stations, and 30% found charging inconvenient. As EV sales rise, the gap between adoption and available charging infrastructure is widening, with some U.S. regions struggling due to geographic challenges and limited investment.

The Critical Role of Public Charging in EV Adoption

For many EV owners, public charging is not just a convenience but a necessity. While home chargers can meet the daily needs of some, millions of Americans lack access to private charging facilities. Urban residents, apartment dwellers, and those in multi-unit buildings rely on public charging networks. To serve these groups, public charging stations must be accessible, fast, and consistently available.

Public charging is essential for the widespread adoption of EVs. It complements home charging, supports long-distance travel, addresses emergencies, and covers scenarios where home charging is insufficient. An effective network should benefit all EV drivers—whether or not they have home chargers—ensuring flexible long-distance travel and providing a safety net for both urban and rural drivers. However, the current network falls short of this goal, leaving drivers in high-density and underserved areas with limited options.

The Current State of EV Charging Infrastructure in the U.S.

HERE TechnologiesandSBD Automotiverecently released the2024 HERE-SBD EV Index, which assesses the U.S.'s readiness for EV adoption. The index evaluates factors including:

• Number of public charging points per kilometer of road—average distance between charging points
• Average charging power—time required for charging
• EV market share—ratio of EVs to internal combustion engine vehicles on the road
• BEV-to-charger ratio—likelihood of finding an available charger (ideal U.S. ratio is about 9-10 BEVs per charging point, but varies by state)

Currently, only Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C. have the ideal EV-to-charger ratio, thanks to coordinated policies and significant investment. Delaware, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C. lead in EV readiness, with Delaware standing out due to rapid expansion in EV sales and high-power charging infrastructure. These states highlight the potential of collaboration among government, the private sector, and communities.

Conversely, states like Alaska and Arkansas face geographic and investment challenges that hinder their progress. Sparse road networks and limited funding exacerbate infrastructure gaps, leaving many areas underserved.

Challenges Hindering Infrastructure Improvement

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program aims to accelerate EV infrastructure development but has faced delays. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, as ofQ3 2024, only 69 NEVI-funded charging points had been installed, falling short of targets.

Several factors have contributed to these setbacks. Permitting delays, operational inefficiencies, and maintenance issues have created bottlenecks. According to the HERE-SBD EV Index, more than 10% of charging points in Alaska, West Virginia, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C. are non-functional, with Hawaii's failure rate exceeding 21%. Compatibility issues between chargers and vehicles further erode public confidence, slowing EV adoption that relies on public networks.

The Path to Seamless Electric Mobility

Bridging the EV infrastructure gap requires prioritizing the accessibility and reliability of public charging through a three-pronged approach:

1. Accelerating Infrastructure Development: Streamline the approval and installation process for charging stations by improving coordination among federal, state, and local agencies. Federal policies should encourage collaboration among automakers, energy companies, and private investors to share costs and responsibilities.
2. Incentivizing Private Investment: Retailers and commercial property owners should be incentivized through tax credits, subsidies, or public-private partnerships to invest in charging infrastructure. Installing fast chargers at shopping centers and parking lots will expand access for drivers who rely on public networks.
3. Upgrading Infrastructure and Building Capacity: Regular maintenance, technology upgrades, and industry-wide interoperability standards are crucial. Compatibility standards will address mismatches between chargers and vehicles, while workforce development programs can train skilled technicians to maintain networks in high-demand areas.

As EV sales grow, expanding public charging infrastructure is essential to promote adoption and ensure equitable access for users without home chargers. Streamlining installation processes, addressing reliability issues, and providing convenient options for all drivers will ensure that EVs become a viable choice nationwide.

Collaboration among federal, state, and local governments and private investment is crucial to expanding the U.S. charging network. By investing in infrastructure, incentivizing private sector participation, and building technical capacity, the U.S. can accelerate the transition to electric mobility. This investment paves the way for a cleaner, more inclusive transportation system that meets the needs of all EV drivers.

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