If you’ve ever been in a crowded location where everyone is trying to use their phone to communicate and share or seek information, then you understand exactly how frustrating it can be to have a slow network impact your ability to use what’s become a vital tool, your phone. It can be frustrating for sure. Modern technology, like our phones, has become an essential part of our daily lives, so a slow network can be, at best, frustrating and, in an emergency, dangerous.
Now, imagine you drive an electric vehicle and need to charge up before your next trip. Shouldn’t be a problem, right? What if the network that provides access to the charging app, or the EV charging network, is so flooded with requests from other users that you can’t charge your car. It’s no stress if you’ve got no plans, no emergencies, and no immediate needs. However, that’s not predictable and the same concerns that create range anxiety can be created by failing or weak broadband and wifi networks.
Quick Links
- The Coming EV Charging Connectivity Needs
- Broadband and Fiber Investments on the Horizon
- The Role of Broadband in EV Charging
The Coming EV Charging Connectivity Needs
Like nearly all technology these days, electric vehicles, as well as the applications and the charging networks that support them, rely on connectivity. Digital connectivity, especially mobile connectivity via wifi networks, is increasingly important, enough so that broadband was included as a major initiative in the recent infrastructure deal. The flip side to the $65 billion set aside for that initiative is the very clear understanding that our current infrastructure is not sufficient. And that’s where the concerns come from, when it comes to EV charging.
Driver Side App Demands
On the driver’s side of electric vehicle charging, there are multiple apps available for finding open and available EV charging stations. Further, there are applications required for actual charging at a variety of EV charging stations and, depending on the station itself, it may be proprietary. The entire process– seeking, finding, charging– is dependent upon network reliability and communication.
As EV charging solution providers, we’re asking drivers to, sometimes, download and access multiple apps just to charge their cars. Optimally, providing OCPP can improve ease of use and interconnectivity between charging stations and charging apps. However, we’ll also need to ensure that we’re creating stronger infrastructure that offers reliability, security, and accessibility.
EV Charging Station Network Demands
Here’s where things get a bit more complicated. Obviously, as an EV charging station owner or host, you have limited control over a driver’s phone network, but what you do have control over are the connectivity and network choices for your EV charging platform management system.
We’ll assume, for the purposes of our “discussion” that you’re working with a networked EV charging station (if you’re not, you can learn more about why networked charging stations may be the better choice here).
A networked EV charging station means you need to pay careful attention to how your charging station is connected and what kind of network connection you’re relying on. The connections and network you’re relying on will be how you, as station owner, connect to manage everything from fee structures to power usage. Further, that network will be how EV drivers find and charge at your station. You want the most reliable secure connection available and that means relying on broadband.
While wifi seems like a great option because of its ubiquity, the truth is, like other applications, it can be unreliable when it comes to charging stations. Think of how many times you’ve been someplace with a weak connection or you’ve lost a signal and how that’s impacted your ability to complete tasks. Now imagine EV drivers and station owners relying on that same unreliable network; it just doesn’t make for a good match.
Broadband and Fiber Investments on the Horizon
As mentioned above, the recent BiPartisan Infrastructure Deal included $65 billion earmarked for investment in broadband infrastructure.
Broadband
Broadband is where the big investments are coming from the federal government, but what is broadband exactly? It’s a dedicated high-speed internet connection that’s always available including DSL, fiber, wireless, and 4G/5G LTE. Because wifi runs off one of these types of broadband connections, the signal strength and reliability are, in turn, transferred to wifi networks running off those connections.
Of the $65 billion set aside for infrastructure, $42.45 billion is specifically for implementation of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program which will increase, improve, and expand broadband access, especially in rural areas which are, sadly, lagging behind. Coincidentally, this is also where we see EV charging infrastructure lagging as well. The two are intricately linked and investment in broadband can improve investment in the EV charging infrastructure.
Fiber
Fiber optic cable is a broadband option that is growing at approximately 10% a year and is anticipated to reach $8.2 billion in value by 2027. With all of the other options out there for broadband expansion, why fiber?
Fiber optic cable is faster, more reliable, and capable of handling more data and more users than any other broadband option. Because of that last factor, it’s less likely to have speed throttled to accommodate demand meaning you get the same service all the time. Those benefits are leading providers to seek out ways to overcome some of the challenges fiber presents including initial costs and geographical limitations. For example, above ground fiber cables that attach to existing power lines are considered one alternative that may decrease initial costs and risks associated with digging.
The bottom line is that expansion and investment in broadband, including fiber optic cable among other options, is a smart investment not just for expanded access to what’s become an essential part of our daily lives, but also for the potential to help us grow other technologies, like EV charging stations.
The Role of Broadband in EV Charging
Surely our existing technology is prepared to handle EV charging solutions; after all, it’s being used across the country already. It’s true. The existing hardware, software, and networks are doing the job, but can they scale? A screwdriver will work, but when you have access to a drill that can be used as a screwdriver, which do you choose?
This is, essentially, the broadband question. We have the tools we need, but when it comes to meeting increasing demand, are we prepared?
For example, many MDUs, including condo associations, are bundling their internet with rent and monthly HOA fees. That means that every resident is relying on the same connection and, if there are EV charging stations, that connectivity is reliant on the same connection as well. It’s important to ask if that connection and infrastructure are prepared to handle the demand, especially when an MDU adds EV charging to its offerings.
Will users, charging stations, and devices be throttled to balance the demand? How will that impact service and user experience? If you’re an MDU property manager or developer, asking questions of your service provider regarding broadband capabilities is vital.
Some EV charging station owners wonder about the viability of wifi as a connectivity solution but in terms of range, strength, reliability and security, expanded broadband really improves the wifi experience, on many levels, making it an ideal solution.
More specifically, better and expanded broadband provides better wifi, and better wifi provides a better charging experience for drivers who won’t experience gaps in coverage or service, or the stops and starts that may occur with less stable connections.
As noted above, the additional factor to consider here is the ability to scale. Ask anyone with teens in the home how multiple devices hitting the same router can impact performance, especially when hardware is not up-to-date.
Improved broadband and, therefore, associated wifi networks are capable of handling a much greater demand from users meaning drivers won't experience slow connection speeds if trying to charge in a high traffic area. And, for an industry struggling to improve its reputation when it comes to reliability, making the smart connectivity choice is vital.
When we talk about infrastructure builds and investments, even broadband, one of the things we must consider is how those investments will also improve other technologies and infrastructure. That means EV charging infrastructure as well. The changes coming to broadband will, undoubtedly, improve the EV charging experience for both station owners and drivers alike.
Understanding EV charging solutions installation and implementation based on your specific site needs means choosing an EV solution provider who can tailor a solution to serve the best needs for your site and goals.
The experienced and expert team at NovaCHARGE is ready to help you understand your needs and provide the best solution for you. EV charging solutions aren’t one size fits all, so reach out to us today and let’s start talking about how we can help.