Electric vehicles (EVs) can be environmentally friendly and more cost-effective — until drivers plan a road trip. Charging stations aren’t as prevalent as traditional gas stations, and even if they can be found along the route, they may not be functioning or may already be occupied by other cars. 

While EV charging locator apps can show drivers where the nearest charger is, they aren’t always accurate enough to show real-time status, such as whether a charger is working and available. How are drivers supposed to hit the road when they aren’t sure where their next charge is coming from? This uncertainty can be enough to deter drivers from purchasing an EV altogether.

New research from Georgia Tech, Harvard University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology suggests that state governments should step in to help. The right policy could inspire data transparency by station hosts, ensuring that EV drivers have reliable networks — and thus encourage EV ownership. The researchers presented their findings in the paper, “Charger Data Transparency: Curing Range Anxiety, Powering EV Adoption,” in September’s Brookings. 

Data Deserts

The researchers conducted a field experiment to discover the extent of the problem. This analysis showed that just 34% of EV charging stations provide real-time status updates across six major interstates in 40 U.S. states. The researchers found 150 to 350-mile stretches without real-time charger availability, longer than the stated range of many EV models. This leaves thousands of miles of highways in a data desert. 

“We just don't have real-time data infrastructure necessary to build confidence in the reliability of charging, especially in communities along transit corridors,” said Omar Asensio, an associate professor in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy. “It's not that the capability isn’t there. It's that there aren't clear incentives to encourage EV charging station operators to do the right thing and share the data.” 

Charging Transparency

Government regulation is necessary to improve charging reliability, according to the researchers. State governments could offer funding for charging stations only if the station host agrees to data transparency. A simpler policy proposal would be for all fast chargers on highways to post their real-time status to an application programming interface, where software developers could access it. This approach would provide reliable information on whether a public charger is operational, and it can make government spending more efficient by leveraging network effects. The research team is already collaborating with state governments from Massachusetts to Georgia to discuss how to make this government regulation a reality. 

State governments will also benefit, as EVs can help them close the gap on decreasing carbon emissions. 

“Electric vehicles are a key strategy for decarbonizing the transportation sector and delivering public health co-benefits, but consumers need to trust that public chargers will work when they need them,” Asensio said. “Until real-time data disclosure standards are addressed, reliable, widespread adoption will be hard. A data-centric approach can enhance the efficiency of existing transportation investments.”

Many states, including Georgia, have also supported EV manufacturing. EV brand Rivian recently broke ground on an assembly plant outside Atlanta. More widespread EV adoption is paramount to making these plants economic successes. Data transparency regulations could be a start toward finally making EVs the ideal road trip vehicle.