Electric vehicles have become increasingly popular in recent years, but one of the biggest challenges for owners and drivers is the issue of public charging. While fast chargers are improving, there are still not enough of them across the country, and they don’t always work reliably. Nothing is more frustrating than arriving at a charging station with a nearly empty battery only to find every stall filled.
A recent study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research suggests that simply providing better real-time data on charging locations could lead to an 8% increase in EV sales by 2030. The study, titled “Charging Uncertainty: Real-Time Charging Data and Electric Vehicle Adoption,” monitored PlugShare for six months along six major U.S. highways, covering 13,538 miles across 40 states.
The study found that only 33.2% of all charging stations reported real-time data, but when Tesla and Electrify America were excluded from the data set, the real-time reporting increased to 70.9%. This discrepancy highlights the need for more universal and convenient access to real-time charging information.
Currently, accessing real-time information for EA and Tesla Supercharger stations requires using specific apps for each company. While these apps are free to use, they can be inconvenient for drivers who may not be able to switch between multiple apps while on the road. PlugShare is proposed as a more convenient solution since it is free to use and already integrates numerous charging networks.
The study also surveyed EV and non-EV owners to gauge their opinions on charging locations and the likelihood of successfully charging at various stations. The results showed that prospective EV buyers would be more inclined to purchase an electric vehicle if they had better information on charging locations. Based on these findings, the study predicts an 8% increase in EV sales by 2030 if real-time reporting on chargers is improved.
In addition to potentially boosting EV sales, the study also highlights the potential impact on emissions if more buyers transition to electric vehicles. Ultimately, the key takeaway is that knowledge is power when it comes to EV adoption. By providing better real-time data on charging locations, current EV owners can benefit, while new owners may be more inclined to make the switch to electric vehicles.