In the summer of 2022, electric vehicle (EV) sales reached a “tipping point.”

With EVs accounting for 5 percent of all new vehicle sales in July 2022, this threshold unofficially signaled the beginning of mass electric vehicle adoption. It’s expected that EV sales will only continue to climb over the coming months and years, especially as more automakers invest in such vehicle platforms. And while 5 percent may not seem like a lot in the grand scheme of things, consider that EVs only accounted for about 1.9 percent of all new vehicle sales just a few years prior in 2019.

While EVs represent a more sustainable transportation future, there are certain challenges we face with their mainstream adoption. Perhaps the most significant is the impact that a surge in EVs will have on the U.S. electric grid. With the grid already dated and often challenged to keep up with power demand in certain parts of the country – especially during heat waves and cold snaps – it already has its share of issues. Plugging in more EVs is likely only going to amplify such problems. In this post, we’ll cover the impact EV charging has on the U.S. electrical grid. First, let’s discuss some of the charging solutions available today.

EV Charging Solutions

There are a few different charging solutions for EVs. Perhaps the most common is the 240-volt outlet (Level 2), which EV drivers can install at their homes and also find in many public spaces. These outlets can offer a full battery recharge in about 8 to 10 hours of time. They require professional installation.

There are a few other common EV charging solutions:

• Standard wall outlet (120 volts): All EVs come with a standard Level 1 wall charger, which is ideal for overnight trickle charging. Plugging into a standard wall outlet can provide about 5 miles of range per hour of charging.
• Fast charging: Often found in public spaces, this is the fastest EV charging option, able to provide up to 250 miles of range per hour on the charger. It’s also going to place the most significant strain on the power grid.

EV Charging and the Electric Grid

In order for the U.S. power grid to accommodate the increased energy demand, it’s going to require significant upgrades and enhancements to more adequately meet these requirements. Most of the systems that currently make up the U.S. power grid are anywhere from 25 to 30 years old and in dire need of modernization. Yet the cost of upgrading the grid, especially as it pertains to accommodating a robust charging infrastructure, is likely to be significant. Still, there’s never been an opportunity quite like the present.

Here’s a closer look at what needs to happen to accommodate the rising number of EVs and overall greater power demand:

• Integration of renewable energy: The rising number of EVs and the strain they put on the current power grid – which is largely fueled by coal and natural gas – only underscores the need to incorporate more renewable energy solutions into the grid. Not only do renewables offer sustainable power, but they’re also key in helping the United States reach its carbon emission goals to slow climate change. However, renewable energy availability is often inconsistent and the costs are significant to integrate such solutions into the existing grid.
• Smart grids: One of the key features of smart grids is load balancing. That is, smart grids can control how they distribute power to better manage loads during peak times and ensure that the grid is never overloaded, thereby reducing the likelihood of brownouts or blackouts. Smart grids can also help alert EV drivers to public fast chargers based on the output they’re able to deliver per any load balancing that is occurring at a particular point in time.
• A charging infrastructure: Rather than tapping into the existing power grid, some think that EVs need their own separate charging infrastructure. While the concept is appealing, the cost of creating a separate power grid solely for EVs is likely to be a high-cost investment.

The U.S. electric grid without EVs has its problems. Add in tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of EVs on the road, and strain on the grid is only likely to get worse. And while there are challenges to supporting the growing demand for EV charging, there’s also a great opportunity to develop new solutions and uncover new innovations to promote a more sustainable future.