EV Charging Challenges & Solutions

From conquering range anxiety to maximising ROI, below we’ll tackle common EV charging challenges and solutions.

In the age of eco-consciousness, electric vehicles (EVs) are reshaping the automotive landscape.

But major transitions are not without their challenges.

Below, we’re addressing key challenges and solutions to EV charging to help you feel empowered and stay informed as an early adopter of an EV.

Challenge: EV Range Anxiety

A common challenge EV owners face is the idea of “range anxiety”.

Range anxiety is the fear of your battery dying before reaching its destination. Limited range has held back the adoption of electric cars, despite recent improvements.

EVs on average can travel anywhere between 240-500km on a single charge.
In comparison, a moderately fuel-efficient car getting around 10 km/L, with a 60-litre tank could cover approximately 600 kilometres.

However, it’s important to note that advancements in battery technology continue to improve range, and some high-end EVs may offer even greater distances on a single charge.

Range can also be affected by factors such as driving conditions, weather, and driving habits.

Solution: Charging Infrastructure Expansion

Charging infrastructure is expanding rapidly in Australia, making finding a charging point convenient.

In Australia, EV owners can now access over 2,400 public charging locations, a significant increase from 1,614 in 2022 (as per a recent report by the Australian Electric Vehicle Council).

The total number of plugs available at these stations has also risen, going from 3,413 to 4,943.

As more Australians embrace EVs, we’ll see more charging infrastructure to support the shift from petrol cars to electric vehicles.

Challenge: EV Charging Infrastructure Costs & ROI

The setup and operational expenses for EV charging infrastructure can be substantial, including installation, maintenance, electricity, and space allocation.

Cost Considerations for Businesses

Installation Costs: Setting up charging stations involves expenses related to equipment purchase, installation, and electrical upgrades if necessary. These upfront costs can be a challenge for many businesses.

Public AC EV chargers at workplaces/car parks are pricier than home chargers. Costs vary widely based on factors like the number of stations, installation type, and site specifics.

Single-port public EV charger hardware: $1,950 – $3,000 depending on features and brand, with Type 2 Socket systems preferred for open access.
Car park and garage installations cost around $6,000, while curbside and pedestal-mounted stations can be more expensive due to additional wiring and connectivity needs.

Cost to Install an EV Charging Station

Aspect	Public AC EV Chargers	Public DC EV Chargers
Installation Cost	From $6,000	From $15,000-$60,000
Location Types	Workplaces, car parks, shopping centres, councils	Workplaces, car parks, shopping centres, councils
Hardware Costs	Single-port: $1950-$3000	$40,000-$100,000 per station
Preferred Connection Type	Type 2 Socket systems for open-access	CHAdeMO, CCS, Tesla for DC fast charge
Additional Costs	Possible costs for Ethernet or 4G connectivity	Increased labour time

Operational Costs: Regular maintenance and electricity charges add to the ongoing operational expenses.

An EV service costs about $350-500 on average every 20,000km (petrol car is about the same but every 10,000km)
Electricity charging costs vary, but here’s a comparison between an EV fleet and a petrol car fleet over the course of the year.

EV Fleet x 5	Petrol Fleet x 5
Driven 15,000km per year, with an average energy consumption of 0.25 kWh per km. The average electricity rate is $0.25 per kWh (Level 2 public charger rates). The total annual charging cost for 5 EVs would be $4,687.50.	Driven 15,000km per year, with an average fuel efficiency of 10km/L. The petrol price is an average of $2.00/L. The total fuel costs for the year would total $15,000.

TLDR: Petrol is, on average, 312% more expensive than EV charging across the year, meaning any investments in charging infrastructure will offer a significant ROI down the line.

Space and Real Estate: Allocating space for charging stations may impact parking arrangements and facility layout, potentially requiring adjustments or additional real estate investments.

Charger Variability: Depending on the types of chargers installed, businesses may face varying costs, with faster chargers typically being more expensive.

Solution: Long-Term Sustainability and ROI

Long-Term Savings: EVs are more cost-effective to run than petrol cars, with significant fuel savings over time.
Attract Eco-conscious Customers: Charging stations draw environmentally-aware customers.
Tax Incentives: Government incentives will reduce financial burden.
Employee Satisfaction: Boost morale and retention by demonstrating sustainability commitment.
Future-proofing: Stay ahead in a growing EV market, and align with global sustainability goals.

The ROI is Worth It

As EV costs decrease and infrastructure expands, investing in EV charging is an investment in a sustainable and cost-effective future.

Challenge: Vehicle Options & Availability

For many potential EV adopters, the initial hurdle isn’t just about finding a charging station but also selecting the right electric vehicle itself.

Historically, the EV market in Australia, like many regions, started with a limited range of models, mostly leaning towards the premium segment.

This posed a twofold challenge:

The lack of variety meant consumers couldn’t find a vehicle that suited their specific needs, be it in terms of size, range, or features.
The higher initial cost of these vehicles was a deterrent for the average buyer.

However, the tide is turning.

As demand grows and technology advances, car manufacturers are expanding their EV lineups, introducing a broader range of models at varying price points.

This means that whether you’re looking for a compact city car, a family-sized SUV, or even a utility vehicle, the chances are that there’s an EV out there for you.

As availability increases, it’s expected that the overall costs, including those of charging infrastructure, will become more competitive, making the electric transition smoother for everyone.

Solution: A Growing EV Market

The EV market is expanding rapidly. There’s a diverse range of electric vehicles, from affordable to high-end, catering to various preferences. The future is electric, and there’s an EV for everyone.

Here are some major car brands and their EV offerings:

Tesla: Often the first brand that springs to mind when people think of EVs. Known for their Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y.
Nissan: Their Nissan Leaf was one of the early mass-market EVs and continues to be popular.
Chevrolet: The Chevy Bolt EV has made waves in the affordable EV segment.
BMW: With models like the i3 and i4, BMW showcases a blend of luxury and electric efficiency.
Audi: Audi’s e-tron and Q4 e-tron offer luxury electric SUV options.

Q4 Sportback e-tron

Mercedes-Benz: Their EQC and EQS models showcase how luxury and electrification can go hand-in-hand.
Hyundai: The Kona Electric and Ioniq 5 are notable mentions from this brand’s EV lineup.
Kia: Their e-Niro and Soul EV have garnered attention in the EV space.
Porsche: The Taycan is a high-performance EV that blends the brand’s racing heritage with modern electric tech.
Volkswagen: The ID.4 and ID.3 are part of VW’s big push into the EV market.
Ford: With the Mustang Mach-E and the upcoming electric F-150 Lightning, Ford is making a significant EV entry.

Mustang Mach-E

Volvo: Committed to becoming fully electric, Volvo offers models like the XC40 Recharge.

Challenge: Charging Expense Management

Switching to EVs is about more than just going green. There’s a whole new side to managing costs that we need to consider.

Most Australian business owners that provide employees with cars will be familiar with using fuel cards to manage their fuel costs.

Fuel cards make it simple to track and control expenses. Now, with more businesses looking at EVs, there’s a big question: How do we manage the costs of charging all these electric cars?

Solution: EV Charge Cards

Overseas, where electric cars have been popular for longer, big fuel companies have been stepping up.

They’re not just adding EV chargers at their stations but are also adding EV charge cards to their product offering. These new EV cards help businesses easily manage and track their EV charging costs.

Case Study: Shell Recharge Rfid Card

In the UK, the Shell Recharge card allows you to access and pay for charging at over 10,000 public EV charging points (including a total of 500,000 across Europe)

The Shell Recharge card reduces the hassle of multiple different cards and apps – simplifying the payment process and allowing you to use one card, account, and payment method across the whole network. And, with favourable rates, you could save money while you charge. It’s as easy as swipe, charge, and go.

EV Charge Card Benefits

Access to every charge point in the Shell Recharge network (and app)
Swipe and charge wherever you go
No subscription fees and free to use
Receive one consolidated monthly invoice
Record and review your charging history
Use the same charge card, account, and payment method across the network

What is an RFID card for EV charging?

An RFID card for electric vehicle charging, also known as a Radio Frequency Identity Card, allows for contactless, encrypted data exchange when used at a public charging point. That’s the technical description, but in short, it’s a card that you can use to pay for charging your EV.

Challenge: Charging Time Variability

When you’re filling up a traditional petrol car, it’s straightforward – a few minutes and you’re back on the road.

But with electric vehicles (EVs), the scenario is a bit different.

The time it takes to charge varies considerably. The specific charger you use and how low the vehicle’s battery has gotten are both factors in this.

Tesla Model Y Charging Times

Battery Capacity: Approximately 75 kWh for the Long Range version.

Level 1 Chargers (Standard Household Outlet, ~2.3kW)

Given the large battery size, using a standard household outlet would take around 30-34 hours from empty to full. This option is generally not recommended for regular charging of a vehicle like the Model Y but can be useful in a pinch.

Level 2 Chargers (~7kW to 22kW)

At 7kW: Approximately 10-11 hours from empty to full.
At 11kW (Tesla’s home charger rate): Around 7 hours from empty to full.
At 22kW: 3.5-4 hours from empty to full. Note: Model Y onboard charger may not support the full 22kW, so actual charging might be slower.

DC Fast Chargers (Tesla Superchargers, up to 250kW)

At a V3 Supercharger (up to 250kW): About 15 minutes to get from 10% to 80%. The last 20% would take longer, so a complete charge might be around 25-30 minutes.

Solution: Clear Information & Enhanced Infrastructure

Understanding Charger Types:

Chargers come in various categories.

Level 1 is your basic charger, similar to plugging into a household outlet
Level 2 chargers are a step up, faster and more efficient, ideal for places where you might park for a while – think shopping centres or office buildings.
DC fast chargers are the fastest chargers available, designed to get you charged and back on the road in the shortest time possible.

Invest in Key Locations:

To truly make EVs convenient for all types of journeys, especially the longer ones, we need more DC fast chargers.

Australia currently has just over 3,000 EV public charging points – roughly 2,500 standard AC chargers and 470 supercharge DCs across the country.

Strategic placements on highways, busy intersections, and popular travel routes can significantly reduce waiting times.

By integrating more of these into the current infrastructure, we can ensure that EV owners have a seamless travel experience, mirroring the convenience petrol car drivers have become accustomed to.

EV Charging Challenges FAQs

Are there enough charging stations for the growing number of EVs?

Absolutely! The number of charging stations is increasing rapidly worldwide. Many governments and private entities are investing in expanding the charging infrastructure, ensuring that as more people adopt EVs, they’ll have convenient places to charge.

Does EV charging take a long time?

While it’s true that some chargers take longer than others, there are now super-fast chargers available that can provide a significant battery boost in just minutes! Plus, many EV owners charge at home overnight, waking up to a fully charged car ready to go.

Is EV charging more expensive than petrol?

Over the long term, charging an EV is often cheaper than filling up a traditional car with petrol. Plus, with the growth of renewable energy, there’s potential for even lower costs in the future. Also, remember, many governments offer incentives for EV charging, making it even more economical.

Can I charge my EV at home if I don’t have a garage?

Yes, you can! While having a garage or private driveway can be convenient for home charging, there are solutions like weatherproof outdoor chargers for those without. Additionally, many cities are exploring on-street residential charging solutions for urban dwellers.

Are all chargers compatible with every EV model?

While there are different types of charging connectors, the industry is moving towards more standardised solutions. Additionally, there are versatile adapters available to ensure compatibility.