The US Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, recently embarked on a road trip to promote electric vehicles. However, her journey encountered a frustrating obstacle – a lack of electric vehicle chargers. This issue is not unique, as there are only about three charging ports available for every 10,000 people in the United States.
During the road trip from Charlotte to Memphis, Granholm and her team faced a setback in Grovestown, Georgia. They planned to quickly charge their electric vehicles, but discovered that one charger was broken, and the others were already in use. In an effort to save a charging spot, an employee from the Department of Energy parked a gas-powered car in one of the spaces, which caused tension with a family also waiting for a charger. The situation escalated to the point that the family called the police, who unfortunately had no authority to intervene, as blocking an EV charging spot with a gas-powered car is not illegal in Georgia.
In the end, Granholm and her team resolved the issue by giving up one of their charging spots to the family and utilizing slower charging ports for their own vehicles. However, this incident highlights the urgent need for improved electric vehicle infrastructure across the country.
With the ever-increasing popularity of electric vehicles, it is crucial to expand the availability of charging stations, as they are essential for long-distance travel and widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Lack of charging infrastructure is a major barrier that hinders the growth of the electric vehicle market. Investment in expanding the charging network is essential to overcome this challenge and promote the transition to cleaner transportation.
Granholm’s road trip serves as a reminder that although obstacles exist, efforts to improve and expand electric vehicle infrastructure will continue. As more people choose electric vehicles for their environmental benefits and long-term cost savings, the supporting infrastructure will need to keep pace with the increasing demand.
Sources: Business Insider, NPR