Unearthing The Crucial Link Between Charging Infrastructure and the Future of Travel

Road trips are a great way to energize our minds and souls, but often the experience becomes a cause of stress, especially for those who choose EVs as their partner in their journey. The EV riders’ infamous range anxiety dampens the spirit of exploring the unknown. However, with more individuals becoming environmentally conscious and the government trying its best to phase out conventional fuels, the adoption rate of EVs has seen an uptick. To support this growth, there has been an increase in EV charging infrastructure in India. As of March 2023, there were around 6,586 public EV charging hubs in India, with 419 stations operational on the National Highway. However, this is not enough to meet India’s EV goals of 2030. Installing EV charging hubs strategically across the country is a great way to help EV riders overcome the prevalent range issue and facilitate a smooth long-distance travel experience.

Akihiro Ueda, CEO, Terra Motors India shares reasons why charging infrastructure is crucial for the Future of Road Trips and EV Adoption

1. Eases rider’s anxietyThe widespread availability of charging hubs makes road trips more accessible and less daunting. However, it will become viable if the charging stations host more fast charging options. Typically, fast chargers can power up EVs in nearly 30 minutes compared to the 4-6 hours of downtime when using Level 2 chargers, making it more practical for long-distance journeys.
2. Eliminates the need for forced stopsIt is crucial to install EV charging stations in urban, suburban, and remote areas, especially near public places. It will allow travelers to power up their cars when needed, eliminating the need to take a detour or make a forced trip to a charging station away from their destination.
3. Makes journey convenientHaving multiple payment options and additional amenities at charging stations, such as dining space and clean toilets, can allow riders to recharge their vehicle and themselves, making their long-distance journey viable.
4. Promotes technological developmentsWith more advancements in EV charging infrastructure, more charging stations are embracing renewable energy sources such as solar, hydroelectric, and wind power to charge EVs. It could increase the number of EV charging hubs, strengthening the charging network further. In addition, increased investments in EV infrastructure could pave the way for promising developments in the sector, like wireless charging technology, which would favour long-distance travel.

Hence, by facilitating long-distance road trips, electric charging hubs are making them more accessible to EV owners. This is helping boost EV adoption and reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.