New Charging Stations Will Cap Battery At 85%

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One reason people want to avoid buying EVs is the number of charging stations. Another is how long people must stay at the stations to get a change and whether a crowded station will add to a long waiting time. A company believes it has come up with a solution. It will cap charge at 85% of battery capacity. While it may make stations less crowded, people who want a full change may avoid them.

Electrify America is the company that created the new stations. The program’s test is called a “congestion reduction pilot.” They state, “Once a vehicle reaches 85% State of Charge, the charging session will automatically end, and drivers will have 10 minutes to move their vehicle before idle fees are incurred.” The fees may be another reason people avoid the stations. The test stations are all in California’s large cities. EV ownership in California dwarfs all other states.

The program may not solve the EV charging challenge. Many people charge their cars at home, which avoids the public charging station issue alone unless they need to travel a great distance. What are already long trips become longer. The advantages of gas-powered cars become evident for people who want to travel over 400 miles.