600-Mile Journey Showcases Significant Progress in EV Charging Infrastructure

Concerns about charging persist among prospective EV buyers. A recent survey by AAA revealed that over half of respondents view public charging infrastructure as a major concern.

These worries are justified. Historically, expectations for EV fast charging have often proven inadequate. After a challenging road trip in 2023, I drafted a “bill of rights” for EV fast charging, outlining seven essential improvements needed for charging networks.

The advancements made over the years have been remarkable.

During a recent road trip, I was pleasantly surprised by these developments. Aside from a minor hitch, my charging experience was efficient, especially when compared to a similar journey three years ago.

An almost perfect experience

This summer, my journey to Montreal exceeded 600 miles. Initially, we intended to drive our Kia EV9, which covers nearly 300 miles on a single charge, but due to a malfunctioning air conditioner, we opted for our Audi e-tron, which has a range of around 220 miles. Despite the shorter range, the e-tron performed excellently. While maximizing range was appealing, it wasn’t a necessity.

To find charging stations, I used A Better Route Planner (ABRP), an app designed to optimize charging stops based on factors like wind, temperature, vehicle specifics, and battery wear. Although a Bluetooth OBD reader could enhance precision by offering real-time data, I found ABRP’s accuracy satisfactory. It directed us to a Rivian charger near Lebanon, New Hampshire, which made sense as it is owned by Rivian.

After using the chargers in Lebanon, I understood why ABRP recommended them. There were no wait times, plenty of food options, a nearby grocery store, and six operational 300-kilowatt chargers. I had downloaded the Rivian app beforehand, but it was unnecessary; my credit card worked seamlessly, providing over 140 kilowatts, close to the e-tron’s maximum charging rate. We enjoyed a similar experience on our return trip using the same chargers.

Next, we visited a Circuit Électrique station just outside Montreal to prepare for the week ahead. Here, we faced our only challenge: a malfunctioning card reader, which prompted me to download the Circuit Électrique app and load 20 Canadian dollars onto it. Once resolved, the charging session proceeded without a hitch. In hindsight, this stop may not have been vital since we didn’t drive much that week, and our hotel charger was operational. Still, the kids needed a break, and my wife craved coffee, so we would have likely charged regardless.

Each charging session lasted about 20 minutes, easily fitting into our lunch and rest breaks. We never had to wait for the vehicle. Overall, our three charging sessions consumed approximately the same amount of time as our wait at the U.S. border during our return journey.

The previous experience

Three years ago, the scenario was markedly different. I was aware that fast charging could be unpredictable—I have been driving non-Tesla EVs for over a decade—but I still felt disappointed.

That summer, we took the same Audi e-tron on a trip to Maine, a 350-mile round trip, roughly half the distance to Montreal. Although the car could make it to Maine on a single charge, the hotel lacked an EV charger. To ensure we had sufficient power for the long weekend and the beginning of our return trip, we planned to charge just past the halfway point.

Before leaving, I also used ABRP to pinpoint more reliable chargers, yet the experience remained frustrating. The first charger failed shortly after I connected, forcing me to switch to another stall. The initial charger didn’t terminate the session with my car, rendering the second one unusable without contacting support. At one location, the app indicated that two out of four plugs were operational, but only one was truly functional. Ultimately, I spent about seven hours driving and had to reach out to customer support three times.

Can you imagine gas stations operating like this?

Data indicates major improvements

Fortunately, the EV charging landscape has changed dramatically since then. While my experiences in 2023 and 2026 are anecdotal, the data suggests they align with a larger trend: fast charging in the U.S. has seen significant improvements.

As of July 2023, there were around 32,000 DC fast chargers available nationwide, according to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. Many of these chargers were initially exclusive to Tesla users. (Tesla announced its plan to open the network in 2023, but broader access took over a year.) Now, most Tesla drivers can access their network, and the ongoing expansion by Tesla and other providers has more than doubled the total number of DC fast chargers since 2023.

Furthermore, the reliability of these chargers has significantly improved.

My nearly flawless trip last week seems to indicate a new standard rather than an exception. The reliability index has risen by nearly 10 points since last year, increasing from 85 to the mid-90s, based on successful charging sessions and downtime. While Tesla’s network remains the leader, other networks are rapidly expanding. This competition has undoubtedly contributed to improving the overall charging experience.

Although gaps still exist in the network and some chargers continue to malfunction, new chargers are being added monthly, and repairs are occurring more swiftly than ever before.

While it’s not perfect, I’m genuinely impressed by how much the fast charging landscape has transformed. Someone ought to inform the skeptics of what they’re missing.