EV Charging Networks

When you are driving an electric car, having access to public charging stations makes it far more practical to own an EV. EV charging networks operate and maintain chargers at various locations, which you can use by registering with the network through an app or website. Some networks are free to join, while others require membership or a fee to use their stations.

Many charging networks offer a variety of features to their users, including station information, maps and directions to nearby charging stations. Some of these are open to all EV drivers, while others may be exclusively for their members (like Tesla’s Superchargers) or for specific car models (like the Electrify America network built in Walmart parking lots for GM EVs). You can also purchase your own EV charging station through companies such as Blink, which designs, manufactures and operates EV charging stations around the world that can be used by businesses or individuals.

A study by NREL and New York state projects that by 2030, the United States will need at least 20 times as many charging ports as exist today. The study considered energy demands for running errands, commuting and ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft. It also considered the need for longer-distance highway EV travel.

Its findings indicate that many existing and planned highway plaza and truck site sites will need over 20 fast chargers to meet the demand, which requires substantial transmission interconnection upgrades. EV Charging Networks