ELECTRIFY AMERICA HITS 700 SITES + USA DC FAST CHARGING ASSESSMENT FOR 2021 AND BEYOND

EV Channels Review

This video provides a comprehensive year-end assessment of the US DC fast charging landscape in 2021, highlighting key developments and future challenges. Electrify America is praised for its significant network expansion, reaching 700 sites with plans for over 1800 by 2025, and is noted for its growing prevalence on major routes, though gaps remain in less populated states. EVgo, while boasting more locations, is critiqued for a higher proportion of lower-power (50kW) chargers and a more limited geographic reach compared to Electrify America, despite plans to expand and partner with GM. The National Electric Highway Coalition is introduced as a new initiative by utilities aiming to establish charging along major corridors by 2023, though its coverage and timeline are still uncertain. The potential impact of Tesla and Rivian opening their proprietary networks to other EVs is discussed as a significant future shift, with Tesla's Supercharger network already piloting this in Europe. State-level initiatives are recognized for filling crucial gaps in underserved regions. Key challenges identified include the need for greater interoperability, roaming agreements, and the slow rollout of Plug & Charge technology. The review concludes that while progress has been made in 2021, particularly in making travel easier, the network is not yet future-proofed, and significant work remains to address coverage disparities and improve user experience.