Green Jobs
Expanding fast charging infrastructure not only creates jobs and local economic benefits, but also protects the automotive industry’s investments. By the end of 2025, over 30 new affordable EV models are expected to be released, adding to the current 70+ available to American consumers. EVs already make up about 9% of new vehicle sales. Building consumer trust in public charging is crucial for their success. More than 700 of the more than 1,000 jobs that EVgo projects this project buildout will generate in the United States will be contracted by the company and will include positions in operations and maintenance, engineering, construction, and development.
While EVgo notes that EVs currently account for approximately 9% of new car sales, this varies by state. In California, 22.2% of new car sales are fully electric, and the state accounts for 32.1% of US EV sales. The success of these investments and growing sales is dependent on consumers’ increased confidence in public charging stations and also growing the network to support more and more EVs.
That’s the goal. However, EVgo stations do not appear to be as reliable in my Asheville experience as Electrify America stations, and they are not ranked as highly. I prefer ChargePoint in the region since the Level 2 stations I’ve used are dependable and fast, whereas three EVgo stations have been continuously out of service and in need of repair for the past 2–3 years. I hope the Biden administration’s backing helps the company catch up with repairs as well. Developing high-power public charging infrastructure is exactly what the numerous EVs one sees in North Carolina need.
It may be that other areas are doing fine with EVgo, one of the biggest suppliers of public fast charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) in the country. Through their continuous metropolitan charging partnership, EVgo and General Motors (GM) have installed more than 2,000 public fast charging stalls. As part of an ongoing partnership to increase access to public charging in amenity-rich locations, like grocery stores, retail centers, and city centers, EVgo and GM have constructed fast charging stalls in over 390 locations in 45 metropolitan markets across 32 states to date. These locations also serve customers who are unable to charge at home or at work, such as renters and those living in multifamily dwellings.
Image from EVgo
EVgo’s CEO believes this investment will help. “As one of the nation’s leading public fast charging providers, we are well-positioned to deploy the infrastructure needed to support both current and future domestic investments in transportation electrification,” said EVgo CEO Badar Khan. “This public-private partnership will help us continue to scale our operations to serve the influx of vehicle options that will be available to American consumers in the coming years.”
The closing of this DOE guaranteed loan facility follows receipt of a conditional commitment on October 3, 2024, and marks the conclusion of a thorough 18-month process.
There may be inherently a different problem in the Asheville, NC, area with EVGo. On any day, one can see that EVs are flourishing in North Carolina, with Rivian trucks always in view, as well as the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevy Bolt, and Teslas. You can find them charging at reliable Level 2 ChargePoint stations. California sounds quite different. The 2,000th space for EVgo and GM is a part of a recently opened station with five 350kW fast chargers that can service up to 10 cars at once. This charging station is conveniently situated off Interstate 215 and provides drivers with a number of local facilities, such as retail shopping alternatives, coffee shops, and dining establishments in Murrieta, California. The California Energy Commission provided financing for this site through its FAST initiative.
The Persistent Issues & Challenges with EV Charging
However, what precisely will happen to the EVgo EV charging stations in the Asheville area and other places where they have not been adequate? Helene had nothing to do with this. All of the older, more dependable, slower Level 2 charging stations had been unaffected by her winds and floods. There are more strange things about EVs in Asheville. Prior to the storm that rocked the tiny mountain city, Whole Foods removed two charging stations from the front of its parking lot. Approximately 10 chargers were installed simultaneously by Tesla. What does this mean for a city where a large number of EVs that are not Teslas are traveling in all directions? Certainly, it has not slowed many from buying and driving EVs.
