Electrical Vehicle (EV) Chargers Are “Often on the Fritz”

(p. A1) One of the biggest roadblocks to the mass adoption of electric vehicles is the troubled business model for the commercial chargers that power them.

The government is pouring billions of dollars into developing a national highway charging network. But businesses aren’t sure how they will make money, and the nascent industry looks messy.

Utility companies and gas stations are at war with each other over who will own and operate EV chargers. Rural states say some charging stations could operate at a loss for a decade or more. (p. A10) New companies that provide charging gear and services are contending with the equipment’s spotty reliability.

. . .

Equipment is often on the fritz. Communications can break down between the car and the charger, the charger and the company operating the charging network, and with payment systems. On occasion, a wasp crawls into the gear and builds a nest. Vandals can strike, sticking gum in the credit card readers and bashing the machines.

. . .   A 2022 study led by the University of California, Berkeley tested all 657 public EV fast chargers in the greater San Francisco Bay Area and found more than a quarter didn’t work.

For the full story, see:

Jennifer Hiller. “Electric Cars Have A Charging Problem.” The Wall Street Journal (Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022): A1 & A10.

(Note: ellipses added.)

(Note: the online version of the story has the date November 29, 2022, and has the title “Why America Doesn’t Have Enough EV Charging Stations.”)

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