As the popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to rise, the reliability of public charging stations has become a major concern. According to a study by J.D. Power, the rate of charging failures increased significantly from 14% in 2021 to 21% by early 2023. Over 70% of these failures stemmed from malfunctioning or out-of-service chargers. Brent Gruber, executive director of J.D. Power’s EV practice, emphasized that this growing issue affects user satisfaction with public charging, especially in areas where EV adoption is highest.
The problem is exacerbated by aging charging infrastructure and inadequate maintenance, particularly at smaller retail-owned stations. Residents in urban areas with high-density housing, who often depend on public charging, report lower satisfaction due to a greater disconnect between demand and available resources. Gruber highlighted the disparity between the rapid growth of EV sales, which surged by 65% in 2022, and the slower expansion of charging networks. The U.S. had 53,764 public charging stations as of 2022, but charger installation is lagging behind demand.
The surge in EV adoption has spurred significant investments in charging infrastructure, including billions of dollars from the 2021 infrastructure law. This influx has led to a flurry of mergers and acquisitions, such as BP’s purchase of TravelCenters of America. BP is also partnering with Hertz to build large-scale fast-charging hubs across several major U.S. cities. Despite the progress, industry leaders stress the importance of prioritizing reliability and strategic placement of charging stations to meet growing demand effectively.
Tesla’s charging network remains a standout in user satisfaction. J.D. Power survey participants rated Tesla Destination and Tesla Supercharger highest among Level 2 and DC fast chargers. Tesla’s vertically integrated approach provides a seamless charging experience for its users. However, Tesla’s recent pledge to open 7,500 chargers to non-Tesla vehicles by 2024 raises concerns among Tesla owners about increased competition for charger access, potentially leading to congestion.
Looking ahead, the J.D. Power study underscores the importance of addressing infrastructure quality as well as quantity. While the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program is expected to boost the number of stations, experts argue that merely adding chargers isn’t enough. The locations, user amenities, and reliability of these stations will be critical to ensuring a positive public charging experience and supporting the broader transition to electrified transportation.