The Rise of EV Infrastructure
Articles, EVIn 1769, Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot amazed the world by creating the first automobile, a steam-powered three-wheeled chariot capable of transporting humans. In 1886, Karl Benz did it all over again with the first-true gas-powered automobile.
As humans, evolution is in our nature - and we’re on the crux of another technological evolution as we speak.
The age of gasoline-powered vehicles is slowly disappearing in our rear-view mirror. So what’s next? Have we finally reached the age of flying cars and robots?
Close, but not quite. For over a hundred years, electric vehicles have been on the road offering a cleaner and fuel-efficient means of transportation.
That’s a lot longer than the General Motors EV1 from the 90’s or today’s Teslas that seem to be synonymous when you mention electric cars today.
So why are we just now seeing such a rise in the popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles, and seeing vehicle manufacturers abandon gas-models altogether?
Let's dig into it.
Charge It To The Game
It all comes down to the infrastructure. While EV technology has been around for some time now, the energy storage and distribution network wasn’t in place to support it.
You see, individuals and fleet organizations interested in electric vehicles - both plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and fully-electric vehicles - need to be able to access charging stations.
A charging station is a component that provides electrical power for charging plug-in electric vehicles, sometimes referred to as electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) or a charge point.
Typically, most EV drivers charge their vehicles at home or at public facilities with charging stations.
Though recently, more charging stations are popping up at workplaces and public areas such as shopping centers and parks - boosting consumer convenience by providing increased flexibility regarding charging opportunities.
It’s this expanding infrastructure, along with terminally-rising gas prices, that is pushing more and more consumers to consider driving electric.
It seems like this energy storage and distribution network will only continue to expand as PEV readiness planning is actively taking place for community leaders.
Not to mention the EVI-Pro Lite tool that is available for community leaders to figure out how electric vehicle charging will increase the demand for electricity, as well as estimate the quantity and level of charging infrastructure needed to support the adoption of EV’s by region, state, city, or urban area.
This energy storage and distribution infrastructure is closely aligned with the Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) protocol - a standard setting the following hierarchy for EV charging stations: location, electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) port, and connector.
Now I realize this all may seem a bit technical, so let’s get down to what consumers really want to know.
Just how efficient is EV charging?
Taking the charge: Is it worth it?
The answer? Way more efficient then the gas-powered vehicles you’re used to.
Here’s some context: Internal-combustion engines (gasoline-powered vehicles) are way less efficient (17-21% efficient) than electric cars (85-90%), meaning they use much more energy to get you around.
Not only are they a better use of energy, but studies show that EV charging in California costs about half of what it costs consumers to keep their gas-vehicles fueled up!
Since charging times for EV’s depend heavily on how low the battery is and how much energy the battery can actually hold, charging times can range from under 20 mins to over 20 hours.
Though many EV owners take care of their charging at home, using their own charging stations overnight.
Considering going electric yet?
Wrapping Things Up…
Electric vehicles are becoming more accepted and expected from consumers as the infrastructure continues to grow, and concerns about environmental awareness continue to rise.
With accessibility to charging stations becoming more common and major vehicle manufacturers abandoning gas-powered vehicles altogether, it’s safe to say that electric vehicles are the immediate future of personal transportation.
If you're starting an EV infrastructure project, you're likely aware of the challenges it poses. From selecting the right components to ensuring the finished installation is reliable and in compliance, there are many factors to consider. However, you don't have to navigate this process alone. Our team of experts is here to provide support and guidance every step of the way. Fill out the form below to find out how DIRAK can support your EV application.
FAQ
- What is a station location?
- Typically a parking garage, mall parking lot, or gas station - a station location is a site that hosts at least one EVSE port.
- Typically a parking garage, mall parking lot, or gas station - a station location is a site that hosts at least one EVSE port.
- What is an EVSE port?
- Usually housed within a charging post (which could hold just one, or multiple EVSE ports), an EVSE port provides the power to charge an electric vehicle.
- What is a connector?
- Sometimes referred to as a plug, a connector is the physical component that must be plugged into an electric vehicle in order to charge it.
- What is a charging station?
- A charging station is a component that provides electrical power for charging plug-in electric vehicles, sometimes referred to as electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) or a charge point.