California Experimenting with Charging Station Limits for EV Owners

In response to the increasing demand for public fast charging stations, Electrify America is trialing a new policy at ten of its busiest locations in California aimed at curbing the issue of "charger hogs." These drivers occupy fast chargers even when their electric vehicle (EV) batteries are nearly full, leading to extended wait times for others. Reports indicate that a recent journey from New York City to Bristol, Pennsylvania, turned into a four-hour delay due to long lines at charging stations, with some vehicles remaining plugged in at 92% to 97% capacity. To tackle this problem, Electrify America will automatically stop charging once a vehicle reaches 85% battery capacity, prompting drivers to unplug and vacate the charging spot. If they fail to do so, they will incur a fee of 40 cents per minute for occupying the charger. This initiative mirrors a feature in Tesla vehicles, which limits charging to 80% at busy Supercharger stations, although Tesla users can override this limit, unlike Electrify America's non-negotiable policy. The company aims to promote more considerate charging behavior among EV owners, especially as the scarcity of chargers and the long distances between them exacerbate the issue. While some drivers may have valid reasons for charging to full capacity, Electrify America hopes that this new approach will encourage more efficient use of charging resources. As both Electrify America and EVgo expand their networks to meet future demand, they are also exploring data-driven strategies to optimize charging times and incentivize drivers to charge during off-peak hours, potentially alleviating congestion at busy stations.