but some exciting innovations are just around the corner.
INCREASED AND ENHANCED CHARGING STATIONS In the last two years, EV sales have tripled, and the number of publicly available charging ports has grown by at least 40%, with over 130,000 public chargers across the country. With this growth has come advances in charging technology, allowing for greater power, efficiency, and speed. IMPROVED BATTERY TECHNOLOGY An alternative to lithium-ion batteries is being pursued that is less expensive, faster to charge, longer-lived, and not reliant on scarce minerals. New options such as sodium-ion offer possibilities, and innovators are also exploring solid state batteries and even quantum batteries, which can charge fully in three minutes. SMART BATTERY MANAGEMENT When enough cells degrade to the point where the battery is no longer useful, they can be “racked and stacked” so the EV batteries can act as one very large battery for local storage of energy from the grid or from renewable sources. In so doing, the non-functioning cells are revitalized and charging is optimized. SELF-HEALING ALGORITHMS Self-healing algorithms built into an EV charging management platform can repair up to 80% of the software-related issues that render EV chargers inoperable. The ability to detect issues in real- time and automatically repair them can maximize chargers’ uptime and optimize the process.
SMART CHARGING Smart EV charging delivers reliable, renewable, and cost-effective energy to EVs while meeting the needs of drivers and local electric grids. The technology relies on sophisticated back-end software that captures data from EVs, networked chargers, and the grid to optimize charging, integrate power from storage and renewable sources, and minimize impact on the grid. WIRELESS CHARGING Wireless charging is on the horizon. Companies like WAVE are currently doing this for buses. Drivers pull to a stop over the charging infrastructure buried in the road. A receiving panel on the bottom of the bus is engaged wirelessly to charge when driven over the road plate. This is being tested on U.S. roadways.
New charging stations are coming online across North America every day, with connections growing by 40% since 2021.
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