Whether it's a broken charger, a power outage, or a busy charging station, EV drivers can sometimes find themselves unable to charge their vehicle.
Discover some of the common pain points of public EV charging station outages, and then read on to learn some simple tips on how to overcome them and keep your EV on the road!
Typical Pain Points
Pain Point 1: Broken Charging Stations
One of the most frustrating experiences for EV drivers is arriving at a charging station only to find that it's out of service due to a broken charger. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as a malfunctioning connector or a blown circuit. In these cases, the charging station may be offline for hours or even days, leaving EV drivers frustrated and out of luck.
Pain Point 2: Power Outages
Another common issue that EV drivers may encounter is a power outage at a charging station. This can happen due to a variety of reasons, such as a storm or an accident. In these cases, the charging station may be offline until power is restored.
Pain Point 3: Busy Charging Stations
As more and more EV drivers hit the road, charging stations are becoming increasingly busy. This can occasionally lead to long wait times for an available charging spot. In these cases, EV drivers may be forced to continue their journey without a full charge, putting them at risk of running low or even out of power.
Tips to Overcome Outages
Fortunately, there are some simple ways to overcome outages:
Plan ahead: One of the best ways to avoid an EV charging station outage is to plan ahead. Use an app or website such as Zap-Map to check the availability of charging stations along your route before you set off. This will help you avoid busy charging stations and plan for an alternative in case of an outage.
Join a network: Many EV charging networks offer memberships that allow you to access exclusive charging stations and get priority access to busy stations. Joining a network can be a great way to avoid charging station outages. Try the Electric Universe network.
Get to know your area: Familiarise yourself with the charging stations in your area and their locations, so that you can quickly find an alternative in case of an outage.
Prepare for the unexpected: Even with the best planning, EV charging station outages can still trip you up. That's why it's important to be prepared for the unexpected and have a backup plan in case you're caught without a way to charge your vehicle.
Road Ready
Public EV charging station outages can be a frustrating and stressful experience for EV drivers. However, by planning ahead, joining a network, and being prepared for the unexpected, you can minimise the chances of an outage and stay on the road.
It's fair to say, with the correct preparation and knowledge, a charging station outage can be a minor inconvenience rather than a major problem.
Happy EV charging!