Table 1 Summary of current issues for electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs) based on negative user reviews
From: Equity and reliability of public electric vehicle charging stations in the United States
Category | Issue | Description |
|---|---|---|
1. Hardware and technical issues | Charger functionality | Malfunctions with chargers, screens, card readers, and plugs. |
Adapter compatibility | Issues related to the physical connection between the EV and the charging station, including the availability and compatibility of adapters. | |
General failures | Broken parts, power failure, and physical damage impacting the charging process. | |
Interrupted charging sessions | Charging stops unexpectedly. | |
2. Software and digital infrastructure | App Functionality | Technical problems within apps, such as crashes and bugs affecting user interaction and charging station operation, or App showing incorrect charging availability information. |
Connectivity problems | Challenges with internet connection at charging stations, affecting functionality and access to services. | |
3. User experience | Slow charging | Issues related to lower-than-expected charging speeds. |
Capacity | Long wait times for charging or requests for more charging stations | |
Customer support | Availability and quality of support for troubleshooting, guidance, and resolving charging issues. | |
Physical infrastructure and amenity gap | Discomfort from unsheltered setups in inclement weather, inadequate lighting, or the lack of nearby amenities like restrooms and food services. | |
Network dependency | Challenges due to the need for network-specific apps or payment cards for charging access, restricting ease of use. | |
4. Restrictions and accessibility | Parking and access limitations | Customer-only or employee-only restrictions, no entry, parking permit requirements, time restrictions, high-cost paid parking and difficulty locating chargers. |
Blocked charging spots | Issues with ICE vehicles or EVs not charging occupying spots. | |
Limited parking for different EVs | Parking spaces that are too small for vans and larger EVs, limiting accessibility for diverse EV users. | |
Signage and policy enforcement | The need for clear signage indicating spots are designated exclusively for EV charging, guide signs to direct users to EV chargers, and enforcement measures to prevent ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles from blocking these spots. | |
5. Cost concerns | High pricing | Perceived as too expensive, especially in comparison to previous free services or when compared to the cost of gasoline. |
Pricing transparency | Confusions raised from discrepancies between displayed and billed charging costs. |
