Electric vehicle (EV) owners are on the rise in the United States, but consumer research shows that the electric vehicle charging experience needs to be improved to address lingering concerns among shoppers. According to JD Power's 2021 EV Ownership Study, electric vehicle owners are concerned about whether they will meet their goals. A summer 2022 Forbes survey found similar results, with 62% of respondents saying they "always" or "often" worry about their car's range and adjust their travel plans to account for it.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is trying to ease consumer concerns about being stuck on the road with a dead battery. The National Electric Vehicle Investment (NEVI) program will begin distributing $1.5 billion next year to increase the number of public fast-charging stations nationwide. The goal is to create a network of charging stations located within 50 miles along major interstate corridors.
However, knowing that there is a charging station within range of the vehicle only alleviates part of the anxiety. Because the flip side of range anxiety is "fear of encumbrance." The problem with charging is that even if you find a charger (it may be hidden in the corner of a parking lot with a small signboard) and it's not blocked by another car, it may be faulty.
knowledge gives certainty
A Forbes poll found that 43% of respondents said they encountered a broken public charging station. Imagine the frustration of being parked on an unusable charging station with very little battery left.
The funding requirements of the NEVI program require charging stations to be operational at least 97% of the time, which is a major challenge for operators. The requirements also include that the charging station communicates its operating status to drivers on the road via a web app, so the driver can confidently decide where to stop and recharge the battery when needed.
To meet these requirements, charging station operators must invest in well-designed technological solutions. Mark Seitz, director of electric vehicle charging at Franklin Electric, said: "This allows us to quickly solve problems without tipping over, giving our customers the signals they need on the road."
NEVI compatible solution
According to Seitz, remote monitoring and control capabilities are key design criteria for Franklin Electric's NexPhase™ smart switchgear. Power plants are an essential link between the charging station equipment and the power grid. Transformers and circuit breakers in switchboards receive and distribute the supplied power and protect the facilities against interference. Franklin Electric integrates all necessary devices into one pre-wired module, saving time and money during installation. It also includes a separate communication system that provides operators with the ability to monitor and control remotely.
In the event of a charger failure, a remote technician can first verify that the installation is powered by the utility company. If the cause is a failure that is not covered by the 97% NEVI availability requirement, without this visibility, operators cannot see and acknowledge the failure.
If mains power is available, the next step in evaluating a non-existent charger is to turn it off and on again. Franklin Electric claims that these simple reset procedures (similar to resetting a home modem) eliminate approximately 50% of load outages. However, without the remote method, the operator would have to send a technician to the site for a restart. The NexPhase EV smart switchgear allows operators to restart chargers remotely.
Additionally, a device monitoring system can be used as a primary or secondary source of web application clients. Lets the driver know that the charger is working, in use or turned on. But the NEVI specification set the standard for user experience," Seitz said. "We designed the industry's first dedicated switchgear. Based on customer and user experience. "
Electric vehicles will account for 5% of vehicles registered in the U.S. by March 2022, up from about 3% a year ago, according to S&P Global Mobility data. The recent expansion of the federal electric vehicle tax credit under the Reducing Inflation Act (IRA) continues to provide financial incentives for buyers. By giving automakers more options every year. But the challenge facing the charging industry is the final piece of the puzzle. Reliable, hassle-free charging for EV drivers.
