The United States has witnessed a significant expansion in its public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs), marking a remarkable milestone in the shift towards sustainable transportation. According to recent data, the first quarter of 2023 saw a remarkable upswing, with the number of individual charging ports surpassing a staggering 140,000 – a figure almost twice as much as the count recorded in the last quarter of 2019, when the availability of charging ports had reached over 70,000.
A noteworthy highlight comes from the insights provided by the Department of Energy (DOE)’s Vehicle Technologies Office, which reveals that over a fifth of all publicly accessible charging points belong to the category of DC fast chargers. In Q1 of 2023, these swift-charging ports accounted for a significant 21.5 percent of the total charging infrastructure.
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Despite this surge in rapid-charging points, the majority of public charging options still fall within the realm of AC Level 2 units, boasting a power rating of 240 volts. In contrast, the presence of AC Level 1 units, operating at 120 volts, remains comparatively smaller in the market.
A key observation is the evident pace at which the DC fast charging infrastructure is expanding, consistently outpacing the growth of AC charging infrastructure over the past three years. This trend indicates a heightened demand for faster charging solutions, particularly in the context of advancing EV adoption.
DC chargers typically offer a power output ranging from 50 to 350 kilowatts (kW), with a considerable number of the latest installations situated within the 250-350 kW range. On the other hand, AC charging points generally provide power levels between 7 to 12 kilowatts, occasionally reaching up to 19.2 kW in select cases.
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Incorporating private charging points used in workplaces or for commercial/fleet purposes, the collective total of charging ports currently exceeds 160,000, as of the first quarter of 2023.
Amidst this extensive public and private charging network, the presence of millions of home charging points is particularly noteworthy. These home-based solutions play a pivotal role in supporting EV owners, offering a convenient and reliable option for overnight charging.
As the EV market continues to gain momentum, this surge in charging infrastructure marks a pivotal step towards establishing a sustainable and widespread electric mobility ecosystem across the United States.
