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Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: The Race to 2030

THE FUTURE IS COMING EVERYONE

Author

Bailey
October 26, 2023

Hi sweet angels 👋

Bailey here 💃 excited to cover a topic that has been top of mind since Madelyn & I’s San Francisco trek a few weeks back.

Two canon events occurred while we were there:

  1. We were picked up & dropped off by a COMPLETELY self-driven car 🤯 (more on that some other time - want to see more progress in the space before an ✨in depth report✨)

  2. Our Uber to the Airport was a Tesla Model 3 (Tesla’s most economical/affordable model to date) and it was AMAZING ⭐

I’ve since been scouring the internet for more info on electric vehicles (EVs) and while there is a crap ton of stuff out there, it seems like the entire landscape has been really picking up speed over the past month.

Some huge news just dropped THIS MORNING that BP is ordering $100 MILLION worth of Tesla ultra-fast chargers to roll out across the United States‼️

This is the first deal of its kind…. 🚩🚩🚩

…WOOAH NELLY, THROWING A PENALTY FLAG ON MYSELF. Time to slow my roll and back up into today’s article theme, which will (hopefully) reveal why this news matters at all!

Lil’ Monarch Menu🦋:

  • Nationwide EV infrastructure

  • Decoding EV Charging

  • Levels of EV Charging

  • Tesla’s Supercharging Mission

Nation-Wide EV Infrastructure: Why It Matters 

Me & VP

Imagine a future where charging your electric vehicle (EV) is as common and straightforward as filling up a gas tank. Get this -That future isn't far off!!!!

In the spirit of the great Interstate Highway System (which was previously the largest monumental public works journey), the U.S. is now embarking on another monumental-sized trek: creating a comprehensive EV charging network.

This isn't just about modern convenience; it's about meeting the ambitious 2030 goal for U.S. clean energy.

If you’re thinking, “what do you mean by ambitious”? Picture this: by 2030, between 30 to 42 MILLION EVs cruising effortlessly across the country, all supported by a charging network as accessible & reliable as our gas stations are today!

‼️Part of Biden’s 2030 80% Clean Energy Goal is to have half of all new vehicles sold be zero-emissions electric vehicles.‼️

It's a vision that's electric in every sense – buzzing with potential, energy, and innovation 🤩

Decoding EV Charging: Terms You Need to Know

Before diving deeper, let's understand the basics. The EV charging world revolves around three key terms – Station Location, EV Charging Port, and Connector.

  • 🏪Station Location: Think of the Station Location like a gas station, but for EVs, where there are one or more charging ports available.

  • ⛽Charging Port: The Charging Port is where the magic happens, powering up one EV at a time. It’s gas-station equivalent would be the machine you watch awkward commercials on as you wait for your zip code to process🤪

  • 🔌Connector: Finally, the Connector is the crucial link, plugging into your vehicle to transfer that much-needed energy. Similar to the gas pump for a gas-driven car, or a charging cord for your iPhone!

Levels of EV Charging: A Game of Segments and Standards 

You know how some iPhone chargers cost $3 and take all night to charge your phone, but some cost $40 and take an hour or less to do so? There are similar levels when it comes to EV charging, just amplified due to the battery size⚡

There are three levels of EV charging that differ in speed and convenience:

  1. 🐢Level 1 Charging: It's the tortoise in the race, offering about 5 miles per hour of charging through a standard household plug. While it is slow, this is a valid option for overnight charging at home.

  2. Level 2 Charging: Leaping ahead, Level 2 can charge a typical EV battery overnight with approximately 25 miles of range per hour of charging. It's more common, faster, and uses the same J1772 connector as Level 1. So level two is an ideal option for overnight charging

  3. DC Fast Charging: The hero in our mass-production story, providing a whopping 100 to 200+ miles of range in just 30 minutes. However, the variety of connectors here – CCS, CHAdeMO, and NACS – start to show the rift in compatibility among different car brands.
    Biggest takeaway: Charging ports for DC Charging (the best & most versatile charging) currently vary per brand!

Did I lose you a little on the connector variation here? GOTCHA! That was intentional, to make the transition into the next section f l a w l e s s. Check out this graphic on EV connectors:

What I want you to takeaway:

  1. Tesla has been leading the charge (🤣) in EV innovation since its inception

  2. Teslas can currently charge using other ports, but other cars cannot charge using Tesla ports (which are the most common DC superchargers around)

….Until some recent announcements, that is!!!!

Tesla’s Supercharging Mission: A Step Towards Unity

Tesla, a name synonymous with EV innovation, initially stood apart with its ✨proprietary Supercharger network✨, using the exclusive NACS connector. This exclusivity meant that Tesla chargers were a no-go for other EV brands. However, the winds of change are upon us 😏 

By as soon as 2024, giants like BMW, Ford, and many more plan to unlock the compatibility with certain Tesla Superchargers! This move is more than a nod to cooperation; it's a revolution. Tesla's vision is merging with the collective effort of automakers, all rallying towards a unified, brand-agnostic EV charging future 🤝 

drum roll pls …. ALL EVs will be able to use versions of Tesla superchargers by the end of 2024!!

Buttttt there’s a crap ton of work to do to get there.

Below is a map of what the Tesla Supercharger Network looks like today, at over 50,000 charging stations. To hit our 2030 goal, we’ll need ~20 times more chargers 😭😂

In Conclusion: Welcome 2 The Charging Revolution

As we charge ahead, it's clear that a unified charging network isn't just about easing the user's journey, but also creating a stable base for an environmentally sustainable future. The strides in EV charging – from universal ports to growing accessibility – aren’t just steps towards the ‘next big thing’ but are giant leaps in this electrifying revolution!!

And as more car brands embrace universal charging standards, the dream of driving an EV will no longer be tethered to concerns about charging compatibility. It's a new era of transportation – cleaner, greener, and more connected than ever.

Stay sexy, stay golden, stay electric 🚘⚡

Bailey

(P.S. I know this article is 99% hype for electric vehicles, BUT I want to acknowledge that there is still a long way to go in terms of making the EVs much more environmentally friendly in their production & maintenance. The hype is because, well, WE’RE FINALLY AT LEAST FRICKEN TRYIN TO TAKE CARE OF MOTHER EARTH!!!!)

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