Key facts
- A 600-mile road trip demonstrated significant improvements in EV charging infrastructure.
- The number of DC fast chargers in the U.S. has more than doubled since July 2023.
- EV charger reliability has increased from 85% to the mid-90s.
- Most Tesla charging stations are now accessible to non-Tesla EV drivers.
- A single charging session on the recent trip experienced a minor issue with a card reader.
Prospective electric vehicle (EV) buyers have long expressed concerns about the availability and reliability of public charging infrastructure. However, recent experiences and data suggest a significant improvement in the EV charging landscape.
During a 600-mile road trip covering over 600 miles, the author found the charging experience to be nearly flawless, a stark contrast to a similar trip taken three years prior. Despite using an Audi e-tron with a range of approximately 220 miles per charge, the journey was managed effectively using the A Better Route Planner (ABRP) app to identify charging stops.
The first charging stop at a Rivian station in Lebanon, New Hampshire, offered multiple working 300-kilowatt chargers, ample amenities, and accepted credit card payments, delivering over 140 kilowatts. The return trip utilized the same chargers with a similar positive experience. The only minor issue encountered was at a Circuit Électrique station outside Montreal, where the card reader malfunctioned, necessitating the use of the network's app.
These recent positive experiences align with broader data trends. According to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, the number of DC fast chargers in the U.S. has more than doubled since July 2023, now exceeding twice the number available then. Furthermore, the expansion of networks, including Tesla's, has made most of its charging stations accessible to non-Tesla EV drivers. Reliability has also seen a substantial increase, improving by nearly 10 points to the mid-90s on Paren's reliability index, which tracks successful charging sessions and station downtime.
While gaps in the network and occasional charger malfunctions still exist, the overall trend indicates a rapidly improving and more reliable EV charging ecosystem, driven by increased charger availability and competition among networks.