EV charging is getting better, and not just because there are more chargers

America needs more EV chargers. But we also need to make better use out of the charging infrastructure we already have. Thankfully, things are improving.

A new electric vehicle charging station in Michigan, built with funding from the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.

As the Biden administration prepares to leave office, the much anticipated rollout of federally funded electric vehicle chargers hasn’t happened as quickly as many had hoped. Nevertheless, the last few years have seen significant progress in creating a more functional EV charging network, addressing issues like reliability, accessibility and compatibility to make it easier for drivers to make better use of the chargers we already have.

For anyone traveling in an EV in the United States, charging should be as simple and accessible as stopping at a gas station. Yet, for many drivers, the reality is far more complicated. EVs hold the promise of reducing environmental impact, but this promise depends on charging infrastructure that is not only available but also reliable and easy to use. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

A whole that is less than the sum of the parts

The major challenge with EV charging is achieving both quantity and quality. Finding any EV charging station at all can be challenging – or even impossible in some areas of the U.S. Some counties in states like Washington and Virginia don’t have a single public charging station, and a few have even lost the chargers they once had. These “charging deserts” make it hard for people in underserved areas to consider buying an EV. 

However, simply increasing the number of charging stations won’t solve the problem if, as is too often the case, those charging stations are broken, lack standardized connectors, or rely on overly complicated payment methods.

Charging station reliability remains one of the most frustrating challenges for EV drivers. When your battery is running low, can you trust that the nearest charging station will actually work? Often, the answer is disappointingly no. Data from EV drivers shows that U.S. charging stations have an average reliability score of just 78%. In other words, one in five chargers is broken or unusable. For EV drivers, this kind of inconsistency creates “charging anxiety” — the fear that you won’t be able to charge your car when you need to. In practice, this means that driving an EV makes the drivers constantly feel they need to have a backup plan, for example stopping sooner and/or more frequently to recharge than is actually necessary – something that drivers of gas-powered cars don’t have to think about.

Even when drivers find a working charger, payment issues can be another headache. Will the payment process be straightforward? Often, it’s not. Charging prices are often unpredictable, varying from one station to another. Payment methods, too, can differ from one charger to the next. Some chargers require special apps or memberships, and it’s not always clear in advance what you’ll pay. This lack of standardization adds unnecessary frustration to the charging process.

The result is a charging system for most drivers that is less than the sum of the parts. Adding new EV chargers to the system remains a priority, but getting more out of the chargers we already have – and those we are currently building – can play an equally important role in making the EV charging experience easy and convenient for drivers. 

Thankfully, there is real progress being made. 

More and better chargers

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program has taken big steps to fix the issue of reliability. It has already allocated $150 million to repair and replace broken chargers across the country, making sure that more of the chargers we already have will work when drivers need them. 

NEVI has also set a high standard for functionality, requiring federally funded chargers to maintain a 97% operational reliability rate. To reduce malfunctions and make troubleshooting easier, new communications protocols are being adopted to ensure that EVs and chargers can “talk” to each other more effectively.

Progress is also being made to simplify payments. Federally funded chargers are now required to offer contactless payment options , like tap-to-pay cards or mobile wallets. 

For example, ISO 15118 plug-and-charge functionality will allow chargers to automatically authenticate vehicles and process payments seamlessly, removing the need for additional steps and making the experience faster and more convenient. 

In addition to simplifying payments, significant progress is also being made in improving compatibility among EVs and charging stations. Beginning in 2025, most automakers and major charging networks will use the North American Charging Standard (NACS), which is based on Tesla’s system. This universal plug will make it much easier for drivers to charge their cars, no matter where they are. For older EVs that don’t support NACS, adapters will allow access to Tesla’s chargers, with companies like Ford offering these adapters for free. The NACS connector will also support faster charging times and reduce the cost of installing new chargers, helping expand the network even further.

Those improvements – many of them driven by federal efforts and incentivized by the “carrot” of federal funding provided under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill – will make a big difference. But America still needs more chargers – especially in the nation’s “charging deserts.”

Slow, steady progress

The federal NEVI program is currently prioritizing the installation of chargers along major transportation corridors, with the goal of creating a nationwide network of chargers that ensure accessibility and reliability to facilitate long-distance driving.

While progress has been slower than expected, tangible steps are being taken to build a robust EV charging network. To date, all 50 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico have approved plans under NEVI, with $2.4 billion in funding allocated. Of these, 43 states have issued at least one solicitation (i.e., a call issued by a state for proposals from companies interested in building EV charging stations) , and 37 have awarded contracts to develop charging infrastructure. Twelve states now have at least one operational NEVI-funded charging station, marking an important, albeit gradual, step forward. States have collectively awarded $510 million in funding, and while challenges remain, the rollout shows a commitment to creating a network of accessible, reliable EV chargers. 

These initiatives are paving the way for a better EV charging experience. Drivers will need to worry less about finding charging stations, broken chargers, incompatible plugs, or confusing payment systems. While there’s still work to do – with much of it likely to fall to state and local governments and the private sector – these changes represent significant steps toward making EV ownership as easy and dependable as driving a gas-powered car. By focusing on getting the most out of the chargers we already have, the U.S. is building a stronger foundation for a sustainable, electrified future.

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Authors

Nilou Yaar

Policy Associate

B.A., University of Tehran; M.A., North Carolina State University Nilou Yaar is a policy associate with Frontier Group. In Iran, she worked with communities affected by environmental challenges. After moving to the U.S., her research focused on climate change and environmental activism, exploring how political and geographical contexts shape societal perceptions.

Theo Rosen

Climate Campaigns, Associate, Environment America Research & Policy Center

Theo works on campaigns that will accelerate America's transition away from gas power and fossil fuels. Theo lives in Chicago where she loves to cook, read and spend time by the lake.