Reliability and performance of public EV charging infrastructure 

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program aims to establish a comprehensive EV charging network in the U.S., addressing the significant role of the transportation sector in greenhouse gas emissions. With the U.S. transportation sector accounting for one-third of total emissions, electrified transportation offers a crucial solution to combat climate change. The program, initiated in 2022, allocates nearly $5 billion over five years to support states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, in creating an extensive network of EV charging stations, primarily along designated Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs). This initiative aligns with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which commits $7.5 billion to establish a national EV charging infrastructure. The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation oversees the program’s execution.

Key values of the EV charging network: Convenience, affordability, reliability, and equity

Through the collaboration facilitated by the Joint Office, federal program guidance and standards have been developed to promote a common, high-quality experience in the U.S. EV charging network. This whole-of-government approach is intended to increase effectiveness, simplify implementation, and drive critical outcomes. The Joint Office is initially focused on providing unifying guidance, technical assistance, and analysis to support the implementation of the following federal programs.

According to the NEVI annual report for financial year 2022/2023, $18.1 billion has been invested toward electrifying key components of the U.S. transportation system to envision a future where everyone can ride and drive electric. The NEVI Formula Program’s inaugural year showcased several key accomplishments and insights:

• All 52 states’ deployment plans were successfully submitted and approved by FHWA, unlocking $1.5 billion in funding, highlighting the program’s significance and broad participation.
• The program’s analysis indicates that a comprehensive network of convenient, affordable, and reliable EV charging every 50 miles along 75,000 miles of designated highway corridors is attainable, contributing to enhanced EV adoption.
• Currently, 679 charging stations meet NEVI standards for distance, port, and power, with 228 situated within disadvantaged communities, highlighting a commitment to equitable access.
• Continuous program improvement is emphasized, focusing on areas like procurement strategies, station siting, cybersecurity, program evaluation, community engagement, and Justice40 implementation.
• Flexibility is granted to states with 56 exception requests allowing deviation from standard station spacing and locations along highways based on unique circumstances.

In response to the ambitious U.S. electric vehicle goals, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) emphasizes the urgent need for a robust charging infrastructure. With the projected increase of 30-42 million electric vehicles on American roads by 2030, the rapid expansion of charging facilities is crucial, especially in residential and multi-family areas. To meet this demand, around 26.8 million Level 1 and Level 2 charging ports, 182,000 public direct current fast chargers (DCFC), and 1 million Level 2 public chargers are required. The NREL study underscores the necessity of collaboration between public and private sectors, estimating a capital investment of $53 billion to $127 billion for the complete charging network.

EV charger reliability and performance

In a related context, the “Evaluating EV Charger Reliability and Performance” report, published by Atlas Public Policy, highlights key challenges and discussions surrounding the reliability and performance of EV charging infrastructure. The report emphasizes the need for standardized processes to measure, verify, and evaluate charger reliability and performance. The key findings from the report, including the importance of data on performance, the role of award recipients in calculating and reporting uptime, and the challenges of measuring reliability and performance, resonate with the goals of the NEVI program. As the EV charging landscape evolves, collaboration among stakeholders, consistent reporting standards, and a focus on user education will be essential for the success of programs like NEVI in achieving a reliable and high-performing EV charging network.

The report also underscores the challenges associated with downtime, responsibility attribution, and cost containment. While the NEVI program sets standards for minimum uptime, the report delves into the complexities of downtime, such as issues with charger hardware, vehicle faults, and user errors. It emphasizes the need for clear roles and responsibilities among key players, including state Departments of Transportation, State Energy Offices, EV service providers, utilities, and drivers. Additionally, the report raises considerations about containing costs without compromising the customer experience, aligning with the broader goals of NEVI to promote EV adoption with a reliable and accessible charging infrastructure.

The insights from the “Evaluating EV Charger Reliability and Performance” report complement the NEVI program’s objectives, offering valuable perspectives on the challenges and solutions in ensuring the reliability and performance of public EV charging infrastructure.

Source: National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program Annual Report 2022-2023

AMPECO: Your pathway to NEVI success

While President Biden targets half of new light-duty vehicle sales to be electric by 2030, AMPECO’s partnership emerges as a pivotal catalyst to secure NEVI funding and successfully roll out a scalable EV charging network, poised to contribute significantly towards achieving these ambitious EV adoption goals.

AMPECO’s regulatory team is diligently monitoring NEVI opportunities for our clients while tracking and implementing state-specific requirements. Recently, California announced $40,500,000 in grant funds for projects strategically deploying high-powered DCFC charging infrastructure and establishing an interconnected network to facilitate data collection, access, and reliability.

As of this moment, there are:

• 9 States with open RFP application windows
• 7 States that have announced awards for NEVI sites.
• 6 States with closed application windows but pending award announcements.
• 13 States expected to open their RFP by the end of 2023
• 18 States expected to open their RFP in 2024
• 1 State where construction has begun (Ohio)

In alignment with NEVI guidelines, various states are curating preferred vendor lists. AMPECO is a recognized technological vendor for NEVI RFPs in Arizona, California, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. As more states continue to develop such guidelines, our Regulatory Intelligence team will continue empowering its partners and their operations across states.