Report: More charging infrastructure is needed to support 30 to 42M electric vehicles by 2030

Driven by a federal push for economywide decarbonization by 2050, electric vehicles are rapidly increasing in popularity—with electric vehicles reaching about 10% of the nation’s total light-duty vehicle market. Since launching in 2010, cumulative electric vehicle sales have surpassed 3.4 million. An exectutive order signed by Pres. Joe Biden in 2021 aims to increase that percentage to 50% by 2030, pushing the estimated number of electric vehicles on the road to between 30 and 42 million.

The implication of more electric vehicles on the roadways for local governments is profound. Grids will have to be able to keep all of those cars charged, especially during traditionally non-peak hours like overnight, and there will need to be an estimated $23 billion worth of public charging infrastructure built, according to a new report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory titled “The 2030 National Charging Network: Estimating U.S. Light-Duty Demand for Electric Vehicle Charging Infastructure.”

“Convenient and affordable charging at/near home is core to the ecosystem but must be complemented by reliable public fast charging,” reads the report. “As established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) is setting the vision for a national charging network that is ‘convenient, affordable, reliable, and equitable to enable a future where everyone can ride and drive electric.’”

The rise in electric vehicles will make the need for dedicated refueling stations obsolete. Vehicle charging infrastructure can be built at office and apartment buildings, retail shops, and parks, for example. And as electric vehicle technology continues to progress, the report notes that, on a regular basis, most people will only need to charge their vehicles at home. To meet the anticipated demands, the report highlights a need to continue investments in U.S. charging infrastructure. 

“A cumulative national capital investment of $53–$127 billion in charging infrastructure is needed by 2030 (including private residential charging) to support 33 million PEVs. The large range of potential capital costs found in this study is a result of variable and evolving equipment and installation costs observed within the industry across charging networks, locations, and site designs,” the report continues. “A successful national charging network will position PEVs to provide a superior driving experience, lower total cost of ownership for drivers, become profitable for industry participants, and enable grid integration, all while meeting U.S. climate goals.”

For more information and to review the report, visit the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s website.