The Big Electric Car Charging Problem Experts Say Is Getting Worse

It will be crucial to build and maintain significant charging infrastructure throughout the country, in order to facilitate a shift toward electric-dominated U.S. road transportation. Without critical charging infrastructure in place, renters may find themselves essentially squeezed out of the marketplace for personal transportation vehicles. Excluding a growing segment of people living in the United States from the capacity of ownership in this regard would almost certainly result in the closing off of marketplace opportunities and economic mobility for an enormous contingent of American adults: 65% of households younger than 35 currently rent, according to the Pew Research Center. 

Alternatively, additional legislation could be formulated to entice landlords to include charging equipment in homes and apartments that renters can’t effectively or legally alter on their own. Independent of household modernizations, efforts to introduce vast charging resources for densely populated communities and renters is progressing in California and elsewhere.

Another important feature in charging infrastructure revolves around speed. The ability to charge an electric car quickly will be essential to keep traffic flowing and avoid discouraging potential EV owners. Currently, most drivers must stop at a gas station, and while the time to fill a gas tank can vary widely, AudiWorld users report an average wait of roughly 3 to 4 minutes. Comparatively, Pod Point notes, you can add a range of about 100 miles to an EV in roughly 35 minutes with a rapid charger.