Waiting for that roadside or commercial Level 3 EV charger? Not so fast.
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I get it: Tesla owners will have fast-charges installed in their mansion’s garage and possibly in the executive parking lot at their TradersRUs headquarters, and use private jets to visit their homes in Jackson’s Hole and the islands. But the great unwashed, for so long as they’re allowed to own cars, will need a place to charge their 2-seater battery cub cars, and, preferably, charge them without having to spend the night in a public charging station. And that’s a problem:
The Nationwide 500,000 EV Charger Charade
To identify the charade, one must first look at the math. 500,000 charging stations will cost the government $400 billion, not the $7.5 billion the President has promised.
July 9, 2024
The word charade has several meanings, and including an act or event that is clearly false (Cambridge Dictionary), something done just for show (Vocabulary.com), or a situation in which people pretend that something is true when it clearly is not (Oxford Leaner’s Dictionary).
The charade I refers to is President Biden’s $7.5 billion dollar investment to install 500,000 electric charging stations along America’s highways by 2030. A reliable and convenient public EV charging infrastructure is critical to achieve the President’s goal of meeting the recent EPA CO2 emission regulation that require nearly 72% of U.S. new light vehicle sales to be fully electric or plug-in hybrid by 2032. Without diving deeper into the announcement, one would likely assume that $7.5 billion is sufficient to construct the 500,000 charging stations, one every 50 miles along the nation’s highways.
To identify the charade, one must first, look at the math: 500,000 charging stations, each with a minimum of four chargers, accomplished with an investment of $7.5 billion dollars. But that is only $15,000 per charging station, installed. A single high capacity charger can cost $100,000 or more, and most stations have multiple chargers. We are now in the second year of the program and only seven stations have been opened so far. At this rate, it will require thousands of years to build all 500,000 charging stations, assuming there are sufficient funds to do so.
Global consulting firm McKinsey and Company estimates that the U.S. will need 28 million charging ports by 2030. There are just two million charging ports today. To meet the goal, about 12,000 new public and private charging ports will need to be added every single day to reach the goal by 2030.
It is true that significantly more government funded charging stations are in the works and will be opened. The stations completed so far cost significantly more than what has been promised. With retailers contributing land to the projects opened so far, the cost of each station has averaged one-million dollars, with the government participation of 80% of the cost. Eight-hundred-thousand dollars for each station is significantly more than the 15,000 committed by the administration. At this rate, the 500,000 charging stations will cost the government $400 billion, not the $7.5 billion the President has promised.
If the administration is so wrong with this program, one must consider how many government programs designed to bring electric vehicles to the masses are similarly defective.
Geoffrey Pohanka, Chairman, Pohanka Automotive Group
Capitol Heights MD
(p.s. I own two EVs, like them, and they are my daily ride)
Is the author right? Well, I went prowling on the Internet and found several estimates of the cost of installing commercial fast-charges, two that were published by commercial suppliers who want to sell their product to customers, not dissuade them, and a third put up by a commercial management company so I accept those as objective sources, with no axe to grind either way.
Electrly: How Much Does a Commercial EV Charging Station Cost?
$80,000, plus $10-$15,000 installation per station
Level 3 Charging Station Installation Cost: Comprehensive Note
ElectricGear
March 21, 2024
Future Energy states that installing a Level 3 fast charger with a single port will cost around 40,000 US dollars. However, according to the Watt Logic report, the same will cost up to $80,000.
Looking at the above statements, it becomes evident that there is no specific formula for ascertaining the exact and actual cost of installing the said charging system. Multiple consequential factors and requirements remain intact towards increasing or decreasing installation costs. However, according to safe and rounded projections, it takes $20,000 for the parts alone and $50,000 or upwards for complete installation.
Charging station networks estimate the total cost of a Level 3 DC fast charger to be more than 50,000 US dollars, including all essential equipment and installation cost. The installation further requires a 480V transformer and a qualified technician or electrician.
These are installed with colossal power, providing almost 3-20 miles of range per minute. As opposed to Level 1 and 2 chargers which use AC, Level 3 fast chargers utilize direct current (DC) for charging electric vehicles; hence they have known DC fast chargers or superchargers.
According to the State of The Charge Report 2017, the EV charging market will likely increase by 50% by 2025, decreasing the cost considerably.
DC Fast Chargers Cost $28,000 to $140,000 Installed
According to a study from the International Council on Clean Transportation, DC Fast Chargers (DCFC) cost approximately $28,000 to $140,000 installed. This is the total installation cost per station. Factors that drive costs include the kW charging capacity, the brand of DC Fast Charger, sitework necessary for installation, and local labor rates. Approximate installation costs increase significantly based on the kW charging capacity of the stations:
Networked 50kW DCFC – $28,000
Networked 150kW DCFC – $75,000
NetWorked 350kW DCFC – $140,000
DC Fast Chargers are highly electrified pieces of industrial grade equipment. This makes every facet of installing DC Fast Chargers more expensive than AC Chargers, which typically cost around $6,000 to install. While they are expensive to install, commercial DC Fast Chargers for electric vehicles offer many benefits and are a great choice for some commercial properties including office buildings, large shopping malls, retail centers, and more.
And I thought it would be fun to ask ChatGP about the issue. Here’s its response:
Question: “Tell me the total cost of installing a commercial DC fast charger level three for EVs, including a discussion of regulatory hurdles and connection to power company lines.”
ChatGPT
Installing a commercial DC fast charger (Level 3) for electric vehicles involves several cost components and regulatory considerations. Here’s an overview:
Cost Components:
Charger Equipment: The cost of the DC fast charger itself can range widely depending on the brand, model, and features. Typically, these chargers can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000 or more per unit.
Site Preparation: This includes civil work, such as excavation, foundation preparation, and possibly the need for electrical upgrades to support the charger. Costs can vary greatly based on the site’s existing infrastructure and conditions.
Electrical Infrastructure: This involves the cost of connecting the charger to the power grid. For Level 3 chargers, significant electrical capacity is required, often necessitating upgrades to the local grid or transformer. Costs for this can range significantly depending on the distance to the nearest power supply and the capacity needed.
Permitting and Regulatory Costs: Obtaining permits and meeting regulatory requirements can add to the overall cost. This includes zoning permits, electrical permits, environmental assessments (if applicable), and compliance with local building codes.
Installation Labor: The cost of labor for installing the charger and associated infrastructure, including electrical work, is a significant component.
Maintenance and Operational Costs: While not upfront, ongoing maintenance and operational costs should be considered, including electricity costs, maintenance contracts, and potential software updates.
Regulatory Hurdles:
Permitting: Depending on the jurisdiction, obtaining permits for installing a commercial charger can be complex. Zoning laws may dictate where chargers can be installed, and electrical permits are required to ensure safety and compliance with local codes.
Utility Approval: Connecting to the power grid requires approval from the local utility company. This may involve assessing the impact on the grid and ensuring that the charger installation meets technical specifications and safety standards.
Environmental and Land Use Regulations: Some locations may have environmental regulations or require environmental assessments, especially if the site is near sensitive areas or involves significant construction.
Accessibility and ADA Compliance: Ensuring that the charger is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, may involve additional regulatory considerations.
Connection to Power Company Lines:
Connecting a Level 3 charger to the power company’s lines requires coordination with the local utility. Here are the typical steps involved:
Load Assessment: The utility will assess the impact of the charger on the local grid. This includes evaluating the additional electricity demand and ensuring that the existing infrastructure can support it.
Utility Approval: Once the technical assessment is complete, the utility will provide approval for the connection. This often involves agreements regarding electricity rates, demand charges, and any necessary upgrades to the local infrastructure.
Installation: After approval, the charger installation can proceed, with the utility ensuring that all safety and technical requirements are met during the connection process.
Total Cost Estimate:
While costs can vary significantly depending on location and specific circumstances, a rough estimate for installing a single DC fast charger (Level 3) could range from $50,000 to $200,000 or more. This estimate includes the charger equipment, site preparation, electrical infrastructure upgrades, permitting costs, and installation labor. Ongoing operational costs such as electricity and maintenance should also be factored into the total cost of ownership.
In conclusion, installing a commercial DC fast charger involves substantial upfront costs and navigating through various regulatory hurdles. Working closely with local authorities and utility companies is crucial to ensure compliance and successful deployment.
