Powering the future: the importance of EV charging station infrastructure

The growth of electric vehicles (EVs) is dependent on the availability and accessibility of charging stations. Without a significant amount of charging stations, EV owners are limited in their travel options. This might result in people choosing not to buy an electric vehicle, even though this is the best option environmentally. As such, the development of EV charging stations is crucial. In the rest of this article, we will look into the available types of charging stations, provided resources to find the best information on charging stations, and how these together can be used for better planning and the overall management of charging stations.  

Types of EV charging stations

First, it is fundamental to know about and understand the differences between the available EV charging stations. The level 1 charging station is the most basic one. This uses a 120-volt household outlet. Because of this relatively low voltage, it can take up to 20 hours to fully charge your electric vehicle. The level 2 charging station uses a 240-volt outlet, which is similar to those used for stoves, dryers, etcetera. This can fully charge an EV in about 4-8 hours. The third level, also known as DC fast charging, uses an even higher 480 voltage, and can charge an EV to 80% capacity in roughly 30 minutes.

Next, let’s look at where to find the best resources for EV charging stations data. Private companies offer a dataset of EV charging stations that can be easily integrated into a variety of applications. The dataset includes information on over 50,000 charging stations worldwide and updates on a daily basis. It also includes rich metadata with the data, such as the address, operator, type of connector, and more. This data can be accessed via their API (Application Programming Interface), which can power a variety of apps and websites that need information on charging stations.

Benefits of datasets

The availability of data on EV charging stations allows for better planning and management of charging stations infrastructure. With datasets like these, on charging station locations, manufacturers and policymakers can readily focus on areas that need improvement in this regard. Furthermore, charging station operators can use the gathered data on usage patterns and charging speeds to optimize their work and improve the experiences for EV users. That way, driving electric vehicles becomes even more tempting and more people will follow the set example. 

All in all, the development of EV charging stations infrastructure is crucial for increasing the use of electric vehicles. The Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and private companies like Eco-Movement all offer a wealth of charging stations data, which can be used to support the growth of EV infrastructure. With the right data and infrastructure in place, we can help ensure a smooth transition to a more sustainable future.