As EV sales reached record levels in 2023, they are expected to grow more. Being supported by policymakers, charging providers, and automakers, expansion of EVs is gaining pace. But there are still challenges related to charging reliability and access to charging stations which are now becoming the limitations against the widespread expansion. Today we will understand the analysis of problems and solutions in ChargerHelp’s annual reliability report.

As mentioned by various researchers, long trips in EVs can still be challenging due to charging issues. This report will provide data and analysis on the state of EV charging infrastructure and identities, which are the root cause of charging failure. Moreover, with insights and recommendations mentioned herein, there are possibilities of overcoming these challenges and improving reliability.

Highlights-Findings and Recommendations

  • The actual charging reliability is often inadequate of the reported uptime.
  • After analyzing 26% of stations, it is evident that problems with software and overestimating charging station status, reduce driver confidence. This further negatively impact EV charging experience.
  • Old EVSE and EVSE with longer build out history are more likely to have higher downtime rates.
  • After studying 20 charging network operators, a split was observed. 10-20% of stations were out of order while others have constant good results. DCFC ports mentioned only 4 networks have a large share of ports but their most ports were out-of-order.
  • There are multiple reasons for downtime and failed charging sessions. Plus, the payment system condition is significantly connected with the station’s downtime.
  • Addressing problematic stations will reduce reduce the burden on O&M and EVSE.
  • Data accessibility included via OCPP should be ensured.
  • With standardized data reporting protocols, measure uptime effectively.
  • Maintain O&M-specific funding to maintain and renew EVSE infrastructure.
  • Implementation of standardized troubleshooting protocols with comprehensive warranty coverage.
  • Promotion of industry-wide leading practices simultaneously with expanding technician training and certification.
Annual Reliability Report by ChargerHelp: The State of EV Charging and the Driver Experience
Pic Credits: ChargerHelp

Problems and Solutions in ChargerHelp’s Annual Reliability Report

The Ultimate Question: Can I charge my EV when and where needed?

To answer this and to find relevant solutions, this assessment of US charging infrastructure will take a closer and more detailed look at EVSE reliability.

Findings or Problems

The 3 interrelated categories of insight explored are:

  • Discrepancy between true uptime and reported uptime.
  • How EVSE age, network, and state affect reliability.
  • Factors leading to downtime and measures to improve uptime.

The following are the 6 primary findings from the analysis.

  1. True uptime is often lower than reported uptime.
  2. Software inaccuracy compounds reliability shortcomings and reduces driver confidence.
  3. Age of equipment correlates with downtime and reliability variations geographically by state.
  4. Charging reliability varies greatly by the network.
  5. There are multiple causes of downtime and failed charge sessions with certain dominating problems.
  6. Addressing problematic stations can reduce the burden on EVSE O&M.

FINDING 1 – True Uptime is Often Lower than Reported Uptime.

True Uptime – It refers to the actual experience of EV drivers while their vehicles are charging in comparison to the reported status from stations or networks through apps, OCPP, or software APIs.

During the the analysis, there was a noticeable discrepancy between the two figures (true uptime and reported uptime). Experts from ChargerHelp checked more than 4,800 charging points. Around 15.4% of those were reported as not working by both software and in-person inspection. However, 26.3%, a considerably large number of charges were reported as failed. Around 15% of the stations were reported to be online and available by both in-person and software tests.

According to Paren, the average actual station uptime across all networks is 84% in comparison to self-reported 92% by the stations. The estimated range is 72-87% while the self-reported range is 79-100%. Successful charge attempts were 84% with a range of 69-94% by network. By applying true uptime, the number of down L2 and DCFC ports was closer to 18-15%.

Reason – Software consistently overestimates the station’s uptime, the ability to continuously charge vehicle, and point-in-time status.

Solution – Application of a correlation coefficient to understand the state of the US public charging infrastructure.

True Uptime is Often Lower than Reported Uptime: Problems and solutions in ChargerHelp's annual reliability report
Pic Credits: ChargerHelp

FINDING 2 – Software Inaccuracy Compounds Reliability Shortcomings, Reducing Driver Confidence.

ChargerHelp’s field technicians discovered that 16% of the operational and online status shown for EVSE stations was actually not correct. It showed the wrong information. (see Figure 4). Then 10% of stations failed the test charge. These were the stations whose online and working status aligned with the application and physical test. Around 26% of the total charging stations studied showed software and charging station errors.

  • False positive – 1.9% stations
  • False negatives – 10.5% stations
  • Occupancy errors – 3.6% stations
  • Undocumented station failure – 10.3% stations
Software Inaccuracy Compounds Reliability Shortcomings, Reducing Driver Confidence
Pic Credits: ChargerHelp

FINDING 3 – Equipment Age Correlates with Downtime and How Reliability Varies Geographically By State

There is a direct connection between the age of EVSE infrastructure and their down rates. As expected, old stations were more down with a notable step change around the 4-year-mark.

Moreover, states with such stations have higher percentages of down stations. Towards EOY 2023 US state had more than 1000 public L2 and DCFC charging ports, as per the AFDC data spanning east, west, south, and Mideast. (see Figure 8). Out of these, 4.7% ports were out of service, ranging from <1% in North Dakota and Alaska to 10% in Washington DC.

Factors related:

  • Dominant political affiliation (red, purple, or blue state)
  • State population
  • State reputation (EV friendly/not)
  • EV market size
Equipment Age Correlates with Downtime and How Reliability Varies Geographically By State: Problems and solutions in ChargerHelp's annual reliability report
Pic Credits: ChargerHelp

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FINDING 4 – Charging Reliability Varies Dramatically by Network.

Analyzing 20 charging network operators with at least 500 charging ports it was evident that there were very few stations that were reported as down. Whereas 10-20% of stations from other operators reported consistently being out of service. This was the scenario towards the end of 2023.

L2 ports have less reported down rates around 0-10+%. In contrast, 10-70% down rates for DCFC by major networks were recorded. Thus, it is evident that a bad experience for an EV driver is not particularly related to any specific port or station they charge. According to Paren, some networks more likely show incorrect status of the station in the app. Whereas other networks are likely to end in failed charging attempts.

Factors affecting EVSE reliability and downtime, other than network operator.

  • Networks with homogenous single-OEM EVSE hardware
  • Networks with heterogeneous makeup of myriad EVSE hardware OEMs
  • Operating model
  • Momand-pop operators
Charging Reliability Varies Dramatically by Network
Pic Credits: ChargerHelp

FINDING 5 – The Causes of Downtime and Failed Charge Sessions are Multifaceted, Although Certain Problems Dominate.

There were multiple signs of damage such as connector, cable, screen, and cabinet issues.The most frequently noticed damage items were retractors and screens. (see Figure 19). Payment system conditions have a positive relation with work vs down stations. Working stations have few to no payment issues whereas others have non-working or problematic payment systems.

The Causes of Downtime and Failed Charge Sessions are Multifaceted: Problems and solutions in ChargerHelp's annual reliability report
Pic Credits: ChargerHelp

According to ChargerHelp’s analysis, the most common issues were internal component failure or damage, followed by communication and software failures. These 2 problems together make up more than 2/3rd of all issues. Whereas electric problems and site damage combine to round for 2% of all problems.

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FINDING 6 – Addressing Problem Stations Can Alleviate a Disproportionate Burden on EVSE O&M.

In ChargerHelp’s analysis of more than 32,000 EVSE and found work order to be the problem in 66% of problems. Only 2.5% of stations were in need of 4 or more work orders, causing problems for O&M resources. This reduces network uptime and reliability of the stations.

As per Paren data, in the 2nd half of 2023, half of DCFC stations had minimum 1 major power outage that lasted a full week. Moreover, 2% of stations had 4 or more outages that added up to a month of downtime within 6 months. Around 10% of the stations had 6 to 9+ outages per week, which means they were out of service for a month or more. Based on this, the average outage time was 2.57 weeks, and the median was around 1 week. Note: The data mentioned here refers to outages and fixes during H2 of 2023.

Addressing Problem Stations Can Alleviate a Disproportionate Burden on EVSE O&M
Pic Credits: ChargerHelp

Recommendations

In the US, the reliability of electric vehicle charging stations is a result of how industry has initially built the infrastructure. It is important to ensure that charging stations are operational and in good condition. Here are some recommendations as per the ChargerHelp analysis.

1. Ensure Data Accessibility, Including via OCPP

This can be done by enhancing accessibility of Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) and other related diagnostic information for network providers and station operators. With this, diagnosis of issues will be more accurately and there will be no need to do extensive physical troubleshooting.

2. Measure Uptime Effectively with Standardized Data Reporting Protocols

Even though the Federal Highway Administration has new rule about uptime, there is still disagreements as to how to measure the reliability of EV charging. Thus, it is important to update the uptime metric and match the EV drivers’ actual charging experience. With this, the reported data will be more accurate and reliable.

3. Allocate O&M-specific Funding to Maintain and Renew EVSE Infrastructure.

In America, EV charging infrastructure is old and extensive. New installations are done at a record pace. Irrespective of that, it is important to secure funding for both infrastructure to ensure reliability and availability of charging networks.

Contractors can better understand the work by encouraging creation of RFPs for the maintenance of EV charging stations. Thus, promoting effective management of the stations.

4. Implement Comprehensive Warranty Coverage Paired with Standardized Troubleshooting Protocols.

Robust warranty programs to guarantee the reliability and uptime of the charging stations. The warranties should cover a wide range of potential problems that can occur: from hardware malfunctions to software problems, and include labor and parts. This will ensure efficient and quick resolution.

5. Promote Industry-wide Leading Practices While Expanding Technician Training and Certification.

Communication channels between manufacturers and technicians should be improved. This will reduce waiting times and exclude troubleshooting processes. This can be done through establishing dedicated support lines, faster response times for onsite technician support, and improve remote diagnostic tools.

Facts to Consider

Electric vehicles have become a key source for the US to reduce CO2 emissions in transport sector. Consumers are getting attracted by the performance and cost advantages of EVs over ICE vehicles. Moreover, EVs are setting new records in the US by recording sales more than 1 million in 2023.

The success ahead is based on reliable charging infrastructure. Based on this, public EV charging ports have doubled in the past 3 years in the US and have surpassed 175,000 ports by early April 2024. Major organizations are coming together to scale up the charging infrastructure and support millions more EVs in upcoming years. They include the Inflation Reduction Act, the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, and the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Shortcomings with EV driver charging experience (EVCS) have recently been documented in media stories in USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg. These are at large affecting industry’s reputation and causing frustration among current EV owners/drivers. Furthermore, this is reducing the number of potential people who were ready to make the shift from ICE to EVs.

Plug In America survey from May 2024 found 40% EV drivers were unsatisfied with the reliability and availability of public EV charging. Out of them, around 70% drivers encountered a nonfunctional or broken charger within the past year.

It is evident that both the perception and reality of charging do not meet the 97% uptime goal of NEVI’s program. Moreover, charging anxiety has become a major concern for present and future EV drivers. It has even replaced range anxiety among people which was withholding people against making the shift.

In conclusion, the problems and solutions in ChargerHelp’s annual reliability report, charging reliability, and software problems reduce driver confidence at large. 10-20% of the stations are out of order and DCFC ports showed high failure rates. Old EVSE and longer build-out history add downtime rates with payment system conditions and other reasons adding to it.

Thus, addressing problematic stations and ensuring data accessibility will improve the performance. Moreover, standardized reporting protocols and O&M-specific funding are required for both new and old stations.

Source: ChargerHelp Annual Reliability Report

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Olivia is committed to green energy and works to help ensure our planet's long-term habitability. She takes part in environmental conservation by recycling and avoiding single-use plastic.

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