2024 DC FAST CHARGING SUPER SUMMARY! COAST-TO-COAST EVS #27

EV Channels Review

This episode of Coast-to-Coast EVs dives deep into the rapidly expanding DC fast charging infrastructure across North America. The hosts highlight a significant shift from a 'bust' to a 'boom' in charging deployment over the last 12-18 months, driven by numerous new players and expanded efforts from existing networks. Key discussions revolve around the Rivian-Volkswagen joint venture, focusing on VW's software challenges and Rivian's need for capital, with a consensus that the partnership heavily favors Rivian. The review also touches upon the increasing reliability and availability of public charging, exemplified by the rapid rollout of Pilot Flying J stations, the hybrid approach of IONNA with dual connectors, and the emergence of networks like Circle K offering affordable charging. While acknowledging the progress, the episode also points out lingering issues like the unreliability of older networks such as EV Gateway, and the ongoing transition to new charging standards.