In the first few weeks of 2024, the U.S. faced the harsh reality of charging infrastructure issues, particularly a winter nightmare in the midwest that left Tesla owners stranded and an overburdened charging infrastructure in New York City due to a growing number of electric rideshare vehicles on the streets.
These problems were due to a combination of factors: lack of driver education, Arctic air causing havoc, and poor reliability. Experts at Flo and Revel provided insights into what might have caused the chargers in the Midwest to falter technically and why the summer months could pose a greater challenge for the proper functioning of DC fast chargers.
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Extreme heat could be worse for DC fast chargers than extreme cold
Heat can adversely affect electrical systems when proper cooling systems are not in place. This is particularly true for DC fast chargers with extremely high amperage and voltage ratings. However, there are ways to regulate these temperatures, both extremely hot and cold.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) declared that 2023 was the warmest year on record, and it is expected that 2024 will be even hotter. As a result, the charging infrastructure must prepare for these changes.
According to Tobias Lescht, the head of infrastructure at Revel, “Heat is definitely worse than the cold,” especially for managing heat generated during the fast charging process. High temperatures pose significant challenges for the charger’s components and can lead to reduced charging speed, increased wear, and higher operational risks.
The City of New York and power company Con Edison published a report last year, stating that Flo’s chargers had high uptime rates. However, despite the increase in warm temperatures observed in New York City, newer charging networks like Revel are continuing to expand their footprint.
Ultimately, addressing these issues will require comprehensive solutions, including better driver education, installing chargers with better operating temperatures, and establishing a robust network to ensure that alternatives are available when chargers are out of order.
Contact the author: suvrat.kothari@insideevs.com