GUEST COLUMN.
HOW CAN WE PROVIDE ENOUGH EV CHARGERS?
By Nicholas Hughes, Cooperative Portfolio Manager at NASPO ValuePoint
Despite the growing variety of electric vehicles being produced and current customer adoption, the market is experiencing unexpected production slowdowns due to lower-than-anticipated demand. A major factor to be considered behind this unexpected slowdown in demand is the limited availability of nationwide charging infrastructure that remains a significant challenge on the path to widespread EV adoption.
But this needn’t be the case indefinitely, thanks to state and local procurement officials who are recognizing the pressing need for a robust EV charging infrastructure.
According to S&P Global Mobility report, the U.S. currently has over 140,000 EV charging stations to support roughly 1.9 million electric vehicles on the road. Of those, approximately 126,500 are Level 2 stations, and just over 20,000 are DC fast chargers. It is estimated that the country will need about 770,000 total charging stations to match EV growth rate and usage by 2025, highlighting the urgent need for a rapid expansion of charging infrastructure to support the growing EV market according to public need.
The right procurement resources can help states nationwide tackle the challenge of efficiently and cost-effectively deploying the necessary charging stations. One key to their success: Leveraging cooperative purchasing agreements that help states procure enough EV charging stations for each state’s individual needs, while contributing to a nationwide network.
To ensure needs are properly met, states should consider engaging with cooperative purchasing organizations early in the planning process. This proactive approach allows agencies to assess their specific needs and ensure that all relevant stakeholders are involved from the beginning. The value of cooperative purchasing for EV infrastructure lies in its ability to address common procurement pain points, in a timely and scalable manner.
By leveraging cooperative purchasing agreements, states can streamline the deployment of the EV charging infrastructure and advance their sustainability goals. These agreements enable agencies to select from environmentally responsible, pre-vetted vendors that offer technological solutions that support long-term environmental objectives.
Rather than each agency independently developing specifications, negotiating terms, and managing vendor relationships, cooperative agreements provide ready-to-use contracts with established terms and conditions and pre-negotiated pricing, thereby streamlining purchasing and avoiding lengthy RFP processes.
Small cities and towns that might lack the resources to negotiate independently can now access the same high-quality vendors, products, and services as bigger states with more available resources. This purchasing standard is a valuable path toward collaboration among states and government agencies that might struggle alone.
This allows states to assess their exact needs -- from fast chargers for public use, to specialized equipment for fleet vehicles -- without the extra steps involved. Unlike one-size-fits-all solutions, these purchasing agreements often include a wide selection of vendors and products, allowing agencies to tailor their purchases to local needs and conditions.
Understanding the Scale of the Challenge
The elements that need to be considered to deploy an expanded EV charging network are many and traditional procurement processes can be slow. One main factor is the type of charging equipment needed and how it’s categorized by connectivity. The two types of chargers are commonly categorized as “smart” and “dumb” chargers.
“Smart” chargers are connected to a broader network with IT capabilities that allow them to control access to electricity, collect and process payments, and manage electrical loads. “Dumb” chargers connect the EV to a power source and charge its batteries without any user software or data collection involved.
For those new to EV infrastructure procurement, it's important to understand that charging stations aren't just another commodity buy. The planning for EV charging infrastructure and the procurement of EVSE can be a complex, multi-jurisdictional project that may require close collaboration across multiple agencies and governments at all levels. These purchases involve complex considerations including:
Site preparation and installation requirements
Ongoing maintenance and software updates
Network connectivity and payment systems
Multiple stakeholders across transportation, facilities, and IT departments
Despite the clear sustainability benefits, procuring and deploying EV infrastructure is not without its layered challenges, with each state’s geography also playing a key role in the process. Cooperative purchasing power offers a practical solution to these complex procurement pain points. These agreements not only help with cost savings but allow for reshaping how states can approach large-scale infrastructure projects that affect their communities.
Conclusion
As we look to a future that inevitably includes higher numbers of electric vehicles, addressing concerns about range and charging availability will be crucial for states and communities. The market's rapid technological advancements, along with new national regulations and sustainability legislation, will enhance buyers' confidence over time, making infrastructure the most important piece of the future of electric vehicle expansion. Cooperative purchasing agreements will be essential in facilitating the swift deployment of charging infrastructure, ensuring that states can meet both immediate needs and long-term goals that will pave the way for widespread EV adoption.
The contents of this Guest Column are those of the author, and not necessarily Barrett and Greene, Inc.
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