Rapid Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Gaining Ground on Conventional Gas Stations in California
Revamped Electric Vehicle Charging Landscape in the Golden State
Step aside, conventional fuel stations! California, a pioneer in the electric vehicle (EV) revolution, boasts an impressive EV charging network that eclipses the number of gas stations within the state. With one charging station for every five gas pumps, the Golden State is steaming ahead in its mission to ditch gas-guzzling vehicles and embrace a greener, cleaner future.
According to Governor Gavin Newsom, California now boasts a whopping 105,000 public or shared private electric charging stations, with an additional 500,000 at-home chargers in residences across the state. Home to over 39 million people, the state is burning rubber towards a sustainable auto landscape. A $1.9 billion investment plan has also been greenlighted to deploy an additional 40,000 EV chargers, continuing the state's efforts to bolster its zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure. California has already invested $1.8 billion towards these initiatives.
Despite California's ambitious progress, access to charging stations remains a key concern for growing EV sales. Even CEOs like Ford's have voiced frustration over finding charging spots, and JD Power has revealed that 1 in 5 attempts to use a public EV charger ends in failure. As California pushes to phase out the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, addressing these charging obstacles is paramount.
With over 1.84 million ZEVs sold in California to date, the state could easily secede and become the fourth-largest seller of EVs globally, trailing only Germany, the U.S., and China. In an effort to address charging concerns, every major Western automaker has signed deals to adopt Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS). These deals give customers access to over 15,000 Tesla Superchargers across North America. Ford, the first major automaker to sign, celebrated the move, noting that it would enhance the public charging experience and boost its EV brand's growth.
Other players in the charging game include the likes of Stellantis, GM, and Mercedes-Benz, who have banded together to launch the IONNA charging network. The network aims to install at least 30,000 charging stations across North America by 2030, making it compatible with Tesla's NACS and the Combined Charging System (CCS). These collaborative initiatives are poised to revolutionize the EV charging landscape in the U.S. and globally.
As Californians hit the road in their sleek electric vehicles, a robust charging infrastructure is paving the way for a cleaner, greener tomorrow. Yet, amidst Golden State's success, it's crucial to acknowledge the broader national challenges in replicating this impressive model across the United States. The federal government's support and investment in EV infrastructure projects will play a significant role in achieving a future where every state enjoys the benefits of a thriving EV charging network.
[This article originally appeared on Quartz]
- California's tech-driven future includes a shift towards embracing more zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), backed by a $1.9 billion investment plan to deploy an additional 40,000 EV chargers.
- The revamped EV charging landscape in California is not limited to public or shared private stations; households across the state are home to over 500,000 at-home chargers.
- In response to addressing charging obstacles, major automakers, including Ford, Stellantis, GM, and Mercedes-Benz, have signed deals to adopt Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS), granting customers access to over 15,000 Tesla Superchargers.
- California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state now has 105,000 public or shared private electric charging stations, making it a major player in the global electric vehicle (EV) market, with over 1.84 million ZEVs sold to date.
