Electric Future: Why Installing EV Charging Stations in Rural Areas Makes Sense?
The future of the automotive industry is undoubtedly electric cars. More and more automakers are switching to EVs, turning a rare segment into the mainstream. In turn, special government programs in many countries of the world encourage citizens to buy electric cars as well. All this leads to an accelerated pace of electrification on the roads.
Indeed, today the number of EVs operating in the US reaches 1.7 million. According to forecasts, their share compared to conventional cars will grow to 15-30% by 2030. Thus, the issue of installing additional EV charging stations becomes a priority, especially in rural areas. As the push for electric vehicles grows, so does the need for reliable charging solutions. These stations are part of a broader movement to increase the EV infrastructure. One of them, ACP commercial electric vehicle charging stations that can help with the installation of charging stations with detailed planning and ongoing support. Alongside ACP, other key players like ChargePoint and Tesla are contributing to the growth of accessible charging options. ChargePoint is extending its network to cater to a diverse audience, while Tesla focuses on fast-charging stations for its users. Together, these efforts by ACP, ChargePoint, and Tesla are crucial in making EV ownership more practical and appealing, highlighting the collaborative push towards an eco-friendly automotive landscape. However, how can remote destinations adapt to the new reality, and does it make sense? Keep reading to find the answers to these questions.
Difficulties to Expect in Rural Areas
It’s always much easier to run a high-voltage charging cable near a supermarket within a metropolitan zone. Unfortunately, this is not possible in rural areas. And even if it is, minor challenges may also appear. Consider the main difficulties with setting up local charging stations in small towns and villages.
Access to a power source. Large cities have a highly developed electrical infrastructure, which makes it possible to find extra power for charging stations. What's more, you don't need to build a new transmission line in most cases. In the case of rural areas, this can be a more resource-intensive process. Firstly, you will need to find a power source, and secondly, upgrade it and run the cable to the right place.
Increased cost. The high population density in cities causes a high density of EV charging stations. When installing them in remote areas, you need to fit the much-reduced population density. That is, the actual distance between neighboring stations will be many times greater. This leads to an increase in the cost of building such facilities and providing them with the necessary infrastructure.
Lack of qualified personnel. As always, modern technologies require a qualified approach. This means that rural communities may lack the technical knowledge to maintain existing EV charging stations. Therefore, staff training takes on an important role in the effective management of charging points and keeping them in working order.
Benefits for remote communities
Building EV charging stations and creating the necessary infrastructure costs a lot of money, effort, and nerves. However, these challenges can turn into big benefits in the medium and especially long term. Here are the most obvious positive aspects of such investments:
Development of the local travel industry. The countryside is popular but not easily accessible by an electric car due to the lack of fast charging methods. When installing an EV charging station in a popular remote location, the situation can change dramatically.
For example, some companies may open a car rental point, as Enterprise VPS Airport did. Electric cars for rent are gaining popularity and will become commonplace in rural areas with EV charging stations. At the same time, this will lead to the emergence of other travel infrastructure, including cafes, hotels, and similar facilities. As a result, an ordinary rural area can turn into a local tourist hub.
Implementation of innovations. Modern transport solutions have always been associated with innovation. Therefore, the appearance of an EV charging station in a town or village will promote its technological development and increase opportunities for local entrepreneurship. Ultimately, this will increase the number of jobs and improve the region's living conditions.
Keeping with eco-friendly initiatives. Today's world is impossible without following eco-trends. One of them is getting energy from renewable sources such as wind and sun. It could be used as a power source for local EV charging stations, and thus maintain a balance in nature.
Does it make sense to install charging stations in rural areas?
Based on the pros and cons analysis, implementing rural EV charging solutions makes sense. Moreover, avoiding this doesn’t fit into the idea of developing modern EV technologies. However, rural communities must be prepared for the investment associated with infrastructure preparation, and the material and labor costs involved.
In general, an adequate response to the development of electric vehicles is a must to remain relevant and competitive in the industry. Ultimately, rural areas will receive multiple nice bonuses and benefits from this!