Gas Stations Vs. EV Charging Stations: Why Density Matters

The longest stretch of highway in the US without a gas station is on Interstate 70 in eastern Utah where one can go 105 miles without a fueling opportunity. There are no towns and only 6 exits. Sounds reasonable right? Density of service stations should meet demand and, with limited traffic and virtually no reason to stop (other than to head off in another direction), is there a need? Probably not.

If we follow this logic, then EV charging station density should meet demand. Does it? The simple answer is no.

While many EV owners charge at home, there should still be ample EV charging stations to allow them to charge, as needed, while they travel. So let’s take a closer look at EV charger density, what it means, and why it’s important.

Quick Links:

• What is EV Charging Station Density?
• Gas Stations Vs. EV Charging Stations
• Impact of Low EV Charging Station Density
• How We Can Improve EV Charging Station Density

What is EV Charging Station Density?

Picture a dense forest, trees so thick it’s almost impassable. That kind of density is not just about how many trees there are, but additionally how close they are together. When we look at EV charging station density, we also need to consider both.

EV charger density, therefore, refers to both the concentration (number) and distribution (proximity) of EV charging infrastructure within a given area. For example, if you’ve got 20 chargers in a 50 mile radius, but they’re all within a mile of one another, you may have decent concentration but the distribution is off. The reverse is true as well. If a state, for example, has a good number of charging stations, but they’re too far apart, that’s also a problem.

So, EV charging station density is a metric which highlights both the availability and accessibility of charging stations. Higher EV charger density, part of the infrastructure bill push, will create a more comprehensive network of charging points, making it more convenient for EV owners to find charging facilities (and charge their vehicles).

Gas Stations Vs. EV Charging Stations

I70 in eastern Utah excluded, most highways and major vehicle arteries in the US have ample service stations. From the early days of Route 66 and the great American road trip, service stations were popping up everywhere to serve travelers and ensure they reached their destinations. And with that, an industry (and several others) were born.

Today? The average number of gas pumps per 1,000 miles is 104. That’s a gas pump nearly every 10 miles. And EV charging stations? 22 per 1,000 miles. In short, it’s rare that a driver of a standard gas combustion car is desperate for a gas station; the same cannot be said for EV drivers.

As we know with EV adoption rates, not all states are equal. The same is true, if not worse, when it comes to EV charger density. In fact, some states, even with soaring EV adoption rates, fail when it comes to meeting charging station demand. For example, Nevada has 49% higher EV registration rates than the national average, but nearly 20% fewer EV charging ports per road mile. And, sadly, they’re not alone (Oregon surprisingly falls into the same category).

On the flip side, a few states, Rhode Island and Maine specifically, have greater EV charging density as compared to registration. Rhode Island is also among the states who have more EV charging ports than gas stations; there are 9 of those total, scattered in the Northeast and Western US. 

Some other important stats:

• There are currently 2,442,270 registered EVs in the U.S.
• There are currently 241,372,900 registered gas powered vehicles (7,156,900 diesel and 1,752,800 unknown fuel types).
• There are, approximately, 145,000 fueling stations across the US.
• There are approximately 161,562 charging ports in the US with, as of Q1 2023, 88% of those being public.

Upon first glance, those numbers look pretty great in comparison. However, there are a few things worth noting: fuel stations often include multiple pumps capable of serving multiple (or many) cars at once. In contrast, charging ports are capable of charging one vehicle at a time, and they often take longer. That said, it’s just one of the reasons there’s been an increase in EV charging stations at roadside fuel and service stations.

It’s also worth noting that some of those charging ports are not public and therefore inaccessible to more than a household. The numbers, therefore, do not reflect the reality, nor the impact of lack of charger density.

Impact of Low EV Charging Station Density

One need not look much further than the news to see the potential impact of low EV charger density. This past week, with record colds in the north, especially Chicago, EV drivers were stranded as batteries, impacted by the cold, needed charging and there were, simply, not enough stations to meet the demand. If EV charging station density were higher, some of these drivers may not have been left out in the cold, or had to leave their vehicles stranded, in charger lines.

But low EV charging station density is about more than stranded EVs and EV drivers. There are some other significant impacts (and, surprisingly, those impacts reach beyond EV drivers).

For many drivers, coasting on E while searching for a gas station isn’t an unfamiliar feeling. However, there was, often, very little doubt that a gas station was nearby. And, even if you ran out of gas, you could walk or grab a ride to resolve your problem. The same is simply not true for EVs.

One of the primary concerns for EV drivers is the fear of running out of battery power before reaching either their destination or a charging station. Low EV charger density can amplify range anxiety, adding unnecessary stress to drivers on the road (who may be less than focused due to the panic). Further, range anxiety can scare potential EV owners from making the switch.

Insufficient charging infrastructure puts EVs out of reach for some. Areas with low charger density may be less attractive to EV drivers as well as limiting adoption. It’s no secret that EVs play a pivotal role in sustainability goals, and the lack of EV infrastructure in wide swaths of the country can limit our adoption and our success.

3. Urban congestion and driver frustration

In some cities, EV charging stations are few and far between. Even without climate factors that can impact battery performance, densely populated urban areas with high EV charging demands can experience congestion and long wait times at charging stations. These bottlenecks (and subsequent media attention) can discourage potential EV users and frustrate EV owners. These situations also contribute significantly to public opinion regarding EV charger reliability. 

Several of these factors have suggested that one of the biggest concerns here is the impact low EV charging station density can have on the EV market as a whole. And while at first that may seem like, simply, a dip in EV sales, it goes well beyond that. The EV industry and supporting businesses have grown substantially in recent years on the understanding that a robust EV market depends on charging infrastructure; it’s crucial for the continued growth of the electric vehicle market. Low charger density limits market expansion, impacts businesses, and slows EV adoption rates.

A lack of demand for EVs due to low charger density may discourage investment in research and development of new technologies. A thriving electric vehicle market stimulates innovation, leading to advancements in battery technology and overall vehicle efficiency.

As EV technology grows, as with other industries, additional applications for similar tech will boost growth elsewhere. There’s already been significant growth in EV technology and while most of it is related to electric vehicles themselves, some have potential implications for infrastructure in general, like vehicle-to-grid charging.

To continue the chain of consequences, the lack of charging infrastructure can significantly impact both businesses and municipalities who may miss out on opportunities associated with EV adoption, such as increased tourism, job creation, and a boost in the local economy. But, it’s not just businesses. The slowed adoption also impacts consumers who can realize economic benefits from EV adoption as well.

Perhaps one of the most glaring impacts is that slowed EV adoption also slows the environmental benefits of electric vehicles which depend on widespread adoption.

Essentially, the lack of EV charging station density has far reaching impacts. Investing in EV infrastructure can help shape the future of electric mobility, not just what it looks like but how quickly it happens. Addressing the challenges associated with low charger density is essential for accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles and realizing the environmental, economic, and societal benefits they offer.

How We Can Improve EV Charging Station Density

It seems obvious that the first, and most impactful, way we can improve EV charging station density is by installing EV charging stations at everything from apartments or condos and retail locations to municipal applications and other transportation hubs like train stations and airports.

Similarly, institutions and locations that have public access and good dwell time present great opportunities to contribute to EV charging infrastructure.

And, if you’ve made this move already, work on educating and publicizing your efforts. Not only does this help EV drivers but other businesses may want to jump on the bandwagon.

Further, supporting community initiatives like charging hubs, and investments in public charging infrastructure are significant. Beyond the concrete, participating in groups, committees, and organizations pushing for increased EV infrastructure is equally important, even if there are no plans for a hub…yet.

Finally, fleet electrification is a great way to contribute to EV infrastructure. Not only does it increase demand for charging stations in a specific region, encouraging services like the aforementioned EV charging hubs, but it also increases EV visibility, an important factor in boosting infrastructure.

Similarly, increased business adoption of EVs can, often, drive government initiatives spurring additional investments from businesses and municipalities. This also includes potential partnerships for building and using EV infrastructure.

In short, there’s quite a bit everyone can do from an individual or business level to impact a block or a district or more widely, to impact EV infrastructure in a region.

If you’re interested in learning how you can add EV charging to your property, whatever role it may play in your community, reach out to our team. You have options and opportunities to help and we can make them a reality. Reach out to the NovaCHARGE team today and let’s change the future!