Blog Title: How Your State Ranks in EV Charging. The Results Could Surprise You.
Are you considering going green and switching to an electric vehicle (EV)? Good news! The EV market has grown and evolved significantly in recent years, making it an increasingly viable option for drivers across the country. However, one of the major concerns among EV drivers is the availability of charging infrastructure. In this blog post, we’ll explore how your state ranks in EV charging infrastructure and whether the data supports the commonly held view that the U.S. needs more charging infrastructure to support the EV transition.
Let’s start with the state with the most EVs – California. According to the Energy Department, nearly 900,000 EVs are registered in California, making it the state with the most EVs. However, the state only has around 43,000 chargers, which is below the national average of around 58 chargers per thousand EVs. This might seem surprising, especially since we would expect a state with a high number of EVs to also have a high number of charging stations. However, the data suggests that availability of charging stations might not be the sole determinant of EV adoption.
One of the main reasons people hesitate to switch to EVs is range anxiety – the fear of running out of juice with no chargers in sight. To address this concern, it seems obvious that the U.S. needs more charging infrastructure to support more EVs and encourage people to make the switch. However, the data suggests that the situation might not be as dire as we think.
The chicken or the egg… EV charging infrastructure and EV population by state. One way to interpret this chart: EV charging lags EV purchase. I.e. Calif. has most EVs per capita, but not the most EV chargers per EV. $TSLA $RIVN $GM $F $LCID $FSR pic.twitter.com/fSv6pa03pk
— Allen Root (@DowJonesAl) August 13, 2023
Surprisingly, the U.S. has about 58 Level 2 and Level 3 chargers per thousand EVs, which is not too far from China’s 190 chargers. China, where battery-electric vehicles account for roughly one-quarter of all light-vehicle sales, is often considered a leader in EV adoption. However, EVs only account for about 8% of car sales in the U.S.
So, how does the availability of charging infrastructure vary by state? According to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Washington have the most EV charging stations, respectively. However, when we adjust for population, the states with the most chargers per person are Hawaii, the District of Columbia, and Vermont. Interestingly, even states with low EV adoption rates, like Oklahoma and Arkansas, have a decent amount of charging infrastructure.
It’s worth noting that while the availability of charging infrastructure is important, it’s not the only factor that affects EV adoption rates. Other factors like vehicle prices, tax incentives, and public transportation options can all play a role in a state’s EV transition. For example, some states like Colorado and Massachusetts offer generous tax credits for EVs, which can make them more affordable for buyers. Additionally, states like New York and California have invested heavily in public transportation, which can reduce the need for long-range EV charging infrastructure.
In conclusion, the availability of charging infrastructure is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to EV adoption in the U.S. While it’s important to have a reliable and widespread charging network, other factors like vehicle prices and public transportation options also play a role in a state’s EV transition. The data on EV charging infrastructure might surprise you – some states with high EV adoption rates have relatively low charging infrastructure numbers, while other states with low EV adoption rates have plenty of charging stations. If you’re considering switching to an EV, be sure to research the charging infrastructure in your state, but also consider other factors that can affect your decision.