J.D. Power: EV charger reliability worsens

The reliability of the electric vehicle charging network is getting worse with at least 1 in 5 charging attempts by drivers failing last year, according to a new J.D. Power study.

Widespread problems are occurring as EV adoption grows at twice the rate of charger installation and the industry and government plan to invest billions of dollars into charging infrastructure.

Many charging stations are aging, lack routine maintenance and face software hiccups.

The number of failed charging attempts climbed steadily from 15 percent in the first quarter of 2021 to 20 percent in the first quarter of 2022 and rose to more than 21 percent by the third quarter, according to J.D. Power's Electric Vehicle Experience Public Charging Study released Wednesday.

Satisfaction with Level 2 chargers and Level 3 chargers hit its lowest point in the third quarter since J.D. Power began its EV public charging study in 2021. A Level 2 charger powers an EV in five to six hours. Level 2 chargers are often installed at home, work or public shopping centers, where vehicles are parked for a significant amount of time. Level 3 chargers require a much larger grid connection and take 15 to 20 minutes to refill most of an EV's charge.

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— Hannah Lutz

What you need to know

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Roundup

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On the move

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Brain food

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Last mile

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