Electric Vehicle Road Trip Charging Infrastructure

NPR's cars and energy correspondent takes a road trip in a Hyundai Ioniq 6 to test out the current state of electric vehicle road trip charging infrastructure. While improvements have been made, challenges still exist in terms of charger availability and reliability.

Electric Vehicle Adoption and Challenges

A recent study found that nearly half of early American EV adopters are considering switching back to gas cars for their next purchase, with drivers citing concerns about charging infrastructure, high costs, and long-distance driving. However, advancements in American infrastructure, such as Tesla opening up its Supercharger network to other EV brands, are helping to address these concerns and boost confidence in the EV market.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Ownership

A consumer research group found that 46% of American EV owners regret their purchase and may switch back to ICE due to concerns about infrastructure, costs, and long-distance trips. McKinsey & Company's research across 15 countries shows a slight increase in willingness to consider electrified vehicles, but not as much as EV advocates hoped for. Lack of charging infrastructure and limited demand are major obstacles to EV adoption.

Challenges in China's Electric Vehicle Market

China's dominance in the electric vehicle market is facing challenges due to limited charging infrastructure, leading to concerns and frustrations among consumers. The country is working on expanding its charging network to keep up with the rapid growth of EVs.

Decline in Public Support for Electric Vehicles in the US

Public support for transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) has dropped significantly in the US according to Gallup polls. Factors contributing to this decline include the impracticality of EVs, high upfront costs, maintenance expenses, and inconvenience of charging. The Biden administration and media hype around EVs as a distraction from high gas prices may have initially boosted interest, but the reality of ownership has led to decreased demand.

Electric Vehicles and EPA's Tailpipe Rule

The article discusses the controversy surrounding the EPA's new tailpipe rule, which sets a fleetwide emissions standard target of 57 miles per gallon by 2032. It highlights challenges faced by the electric vehicle industry, including slow sales, high costs, limited charging infrastructure, and issues related to critical minerals sourcing and the electric grid.

Challenges Faced by Hertz with Electric Vehicle Fleet

Hertz is facing challenges with its electric vehicle fleet, leading to financial losses and a CEO replacement. The company struggled with EV pricing, charging infrastructure, and damage repairs, in addition to settling claims related to falsely reported stolen rental cars.