Electrify America's 85% Charging Cap: Improving EV Charging Experience

Electrify America's New Charging Strategy

Electrify America, North America's largest network of high-speed DC fast chargers for electric vehicles outside of Tesla's Supercharger network, has recently launched a pilot program that limits charging to 85% state of charge at select locations. This initiative, known as the "congestion reduction pilot," is designed to address the growing issue of long wait times and queues at popular charging stations.

Understanding the 85% Charging Cap

The new policy prevents customers from charging their electric vehicles beyond 85% at the pilot program locations. While this might initially seem like a disadvantage to EV owners, there are several reasons why this approach could actually improve the overall charging experience:

1. Reduced Wait Times: By limiting charging to 85%, Electrify America aims to increase throughput at busy stations, allowing more vehicles to charge in a given time period.

2. Optimal Charging Efficiency: Most electric vehicles charge significantly slower after reaching 80-85% state of charge. By capping the charge at 85%, the program ensures that chargers are used most efficiently.

3. Battery Health: Frequent DC fast charging to 100% can potentially impact long-term battery health. Limiting charges to 85% may help preserve battery life.

4. Improved User Experience: Reducing congestion and wait times can significantly enhance the overall charging experience for EV owners, especially during long trips.

The Science Behind EV Charging Speeds

To understand why the 85% cap makes sense, it's important to know how EV charging works:

• Charging Curve: EVs have a charging curve where the charging speed is fastest at lower battery levels and gradually slows down as the battery fills up.

• Tapering: Most EVs begin to taper or slow down their charging speed significantly after reaching 80-85% state of charge.

• Time Inefficiency: In many cases, charging from 80% to 100% can take as long as charging from 10% to 80%.

Pilot Program Details

Electrify America has carefully selected 10 locations for this pilot program. These sites were chosen based on several factors:

1. High utilization rates
2. Frequent long wait times
3. Proximity to other charging options

The program is currently active at the following California locations:

• Plaza Del Sol, Sherman Way, Burbank
• Target, West Cienega, Carlson
• Ralph's, East Colorado Street, Glendale
• Bank of America, Washington Centinela, West Washington Boulevard
• Bank of America, LA Chinatown, North Broadway
• Vons, Foothill Boulevard, La Crescenta
• Walmart, Murphy Canyon Road, San Diego
• Target, West Arrow Highway, San Dimas
• Target, Raymer Street, Van Nuys
• Yorba Canyon Center, Yorba Linda Boulevard, Yorba Linda

How the 85% Cap Works

Under this new policy:

1. Charging sessions automatically end when the vehicle reaches 85% state of charge.
2. Drivers have a 10-minute grace period to move their vehicle before incurring idle fees.
3. The standard idle fee of 40 cents per minute applies after the grace period.

Potential Benefits of the 85% Charging Cap

1. Increased Throughput

By limiting charging sessions to 85%, Electrify America can potentially serve more customers in a given time frame. This is particularly beneficial during peak hours and in high-traffic areas.

2. Faster Overall Charging Experience

For most EV owners, especially those on long trips, charging to 85% and then driving to the next station can be faster overall than waiting to charge to 100%.

3. Encouraging Optimal Charging Habits

This policy may help educate EV owners about efficient charging practices, potentially leading to better charging habits even at other networks.

4. Reducing Range Anxiety

By potentially reducing wait times, this policy could help alleviate range anxiety for EV owners who might otherwise worry about access to chargers during busy periods.

Potential Drawbacks and Concerns

While the 85% cap has many potential benefits, it's important to consider possible drawbacks:

1. Limited Long-Distance Travel: Some drivers may need to charge beyond 85% to reach their next destination, especially in areas with fewer charging options.

2. Perceived Loss of Control: Some customers may feel frustrated by not having the option to charge their vehicle fully.

3. Varying Vehicle Needs: Different EV models have different charging curves and range capabilities, which may not always align with the 85% cap.

4. Financial Considerations: Some may argue that this policy is primarily aimed at increasing Electrify America's profits by encouraging more frequent, shorter charging sessions.

Comparing DC Fast Charging and AC Charging

It's crucial to understand that this policy applies only to DC fast charging. Here's a comparison between DC fast charging and AC charging:

DC Fast Charging

• Typically used for quick charges during long trips
• Charging speed varies significantly based on battery level
• Most efficient at lower states of charge
• Slows down considerably after 80-85% charge

AC Charging

• Used for overnight or longer-duration charging
• Charging speed remains relatively constant throughout the charging session
• Efficient up to 96-99% charge
• Not affected by the new Electrify America policy

The Future of EV Charging

If successful, this pilot program could reshape how we approach public EV charging:

1. Expanded Implementation: The 85% cap could be rolled out to more Electrify America locations, particularly in high-traffic areas.

2. Adaptive Policies: Future iterations might include time-based exceptions, such as allowing full charges during off-peak hours.

3. Industry-Wide Changes: Other charging networks might adopt similar policies to manage congestion and improve user experience.

4. Technological Advancements: This could spur innovation in EV battery technology, pushing for even faster charging capabilities at higher states of charge.

5. Consumer Behavior Shift: EV owners might adapt their charging habits, optimizing for shorter, more frequent charging stops during long trips.

Tips for EV Owners Using Electrify America

Given this new policy, here are some tips for EV owners:

1. Plan Your Route: When planning long trips, factor in the 85% charging limit at affected stations.

2. Understand Your Vehicle's Charging Curve: Knowing how your EV charges can help you make the most of the 85% limit.

3. Arrive with a Lower State of Charge: To maximize the amount of energy you can add, try to arrive at the charger with a lower battery level.

4. Use Apps and Tools: Utilize EV planning apps to find alternative charging options if you need to charge beyond 85%.

5. Be Considerate: Remember that this policy aims to reduce wait times for all users. Move your vehicle promptly after charging.

The Broader Impact on EV Adoption

The success or failure of this pilot program could have far-reaching implications for EV adoption:

1. Public Perception: If the program successfully reduces wait times, it could improve the public's perception of EV practicality for long trips.

2. Infrastructure Development: This could influence how future charging infrastructure is planned and deployed.

3. Vehicle Design: Automakers might focus more on optimizing their vehicles for rapid charging up to 85%.

4. Government Policies: Successful congestion reduction could impact government policies and incentives related to EV charging infrastructure.

Environmental Considerations

While the primary goal of this policy is to improve user experience, it may have environmental benefits as well:

1. Energy Efficiency: By encouraging charging in the most efficient range, the policy could lead to better overall energy utilization.

2. Reduced Idle Time: Less congestion means fewer vehicles idling while waiting to charge, potentially reducing overall emissions.

3. Optimized Infrastructure Use: More efficient use of existing chargers could reduce the need for additional construction, minimizing environmental impact.

Conclusion

Electrify America's 85% charging cap pilot program represents an innovative approach to addressing the growing challenges of EV charging infrastructure. While it may require some adjustment from EV owners, the potential benefits in terms of reduced wait times, improved throughput, and enhanced overall charging experience could be significant.

As the EV market continues to grow, creative solutions like this will be crucial in ensuring that charging infrastructure can keep pace with demand. The success of this program could set a new standard for how we approach public EV charging, balancing the needs of individual users with the broader goal of efficient, accessible charging for all.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of this policy will depend on user acceptance and real-world results. As Electrify America monitors the performance and gathers feedback from this pilot program, we may see refinements and adjustments to optimize the balance between user convenience and system efficiency.

For EV owners and prospective buyers, staying informed about such developments in charging infrastructure is key to making the most of the electric driving experience. As the industry evolves, adaptability and understanding of these new approaches will be valuable skills for all EV enthusiasts.

Article created from: https://youtu.be/_Chji1-XFTo?feature=shared