Owning an electric vehicle (EV) in Los Angeles, often seen as a hub of eco-conscious and technologically advanced urban living, should ideally offer a smooth and efficient experience. However, recent reports reveal that EV owners in Los Angeles, touted as the EV capital of America, encounter numerous challenges reminiscent of the gas crisis era during President Carter’s time.
A recent article in The Wall Street Journal shed light on the state of EV charging infrastructure in Los Angeles. The article conducted a test on 30 non-Tesla fast-charging stations across the city, boasting a total of over 120 charging stalls. The findings were concerning, with at least 40 percent of these stations facing issues, leaving EV owners stranded.
Columnist Joanna Stern, who herself owns a Ford Mustang Mach-E EV, shared her experiences during this test. Accompanied by her video producer, Adam Falk, they journeyed from the scenic beaches of Santa Monica to the upscale parking garages under Rodeo Drive, visiting various non-Tesla DC fast-charger stations in a Rivian R1T pickup truck. Stern encountered problems at 13 out of the 30 stations, exceeding the 40 percent issue rate. She aptly summed up the situation with an exasperated “Oof.”
The issues encountered during the testing expedition could be categorized into three primary areas, highlighting challenges that the EV industry must address to ensure a seamless transition to electric mobility.
The first issue was non-operational charging stations. Stern found stations that were out of service, displayed signs indicating issues, or had unresponsive screens. Shockingly, 27 percent of the 126 individual Level 3 fast chargers at the surveyed stations were found to be inoperable for various reasons. Power issues could also force charging units out of service, compounding the problem.
Another problem area involved payment rejections. At one station, the credit-card reader repeatedly failed to accept multiple cards, eventually demanding “CASH ONLY” for payment. This inconvenient situation affected nearly 10 percent of otherwise operational stalls. Reasons for these credit card issues included integration problems between charging hardware and credit card reader machines, as well as the need to comply with new standards requiring more dependable contactless card readers.
The third issue revolved around “handshakes” between the charging station and the EV, occurring due to a timeout in the communication process. This technical issue, stemming from various combinations of cars and chargers in use, can render the car unchargeable. A proposed solution is to establish a standardized protocol to avoid compatibility issues.
While these issues frustrate EV owners and threaten the growth of the electric vehicle market, they underscore the need for industry-wide collaboration and infrastructure improvements. Tesla’s decision to open its charging network to non-Tesla EVs in 2024 may help alleviate some problems but presents its own set of challenges related to compatibility and the need for adapters.
Moreover, the reliability and availability of charging infrastructure significantly impact consumer confidence in adopting electric vehicles. Similar problems have been reported in other regions, underscoring the urgent need for improvements nationwide.
California’s goal to ban the sale of internal-combustion cars by 2035 adds urgency to addressing these charging infrastructure issues. To achieve this goal and encourage widespread EV adoption, the state must prioritize the reliability and accessibility of charging stations. Otherwise, EV drivers may find themselves driving vehicles designed for the future but filling up at charging stations reminiscent of the past—an irony that may hinder the state’s green ambitions.
