EV Charging Doesn't Need to Be as Fast as Gas, Ionna CEO Says

All the messaging about fast charging speed is focused on the wrong thing. EV drivers should be able to do the vast majority of their charging at home or at their destination. The messaging should be about getting chargers in more homes, apartment complexes and workplaces. Speed doesn’t matter as much if you’re going to be parked for half the day or overnight. That’s something that gas simply can’t do.

Fast charging stations should only be necessary for road trips, where you should be taking a break every so often anyways.

That is an idealistic way to look at it. In practice, charging anytime a car is parked is expensive:

1. Utility companies will often charge a premium on electricity spent during business hours. This alone makes it uneconomical to charge the car by day (eg while you’re at work).

2. Charging on public infrastructure will often include a “convenience premium” - electricity will be more expensive than charging at home.

3. A lot of the time charging will be limited by time, thus requiring you to go out of the office and move your car in the middle of work. Not possible for everyone.

4. My experience is that “energy providers” discovered subscriptions. And charging “out of network” is mor expensive - especially important when traveling.

Reality is that with an EV the only economical approach *today * is:

• to charge it at home, at night
• hopefully produce your own electricity, if you can (photovoltaic + battery)
• use quick charge stations for longer drives

If you can’t charge it at home (eg you live in a flat or an apartment complex), you’re basically effed.