The Real Culprits Behind EV Charging Downtime

Electric vehicle (EV) charging downtime is a significant problem in 2024. Automotive experts have pointed to poor reliability rates as a major barrier to EV adoption. EV critics have mentioned it frequently as well, calling it a failure of the electric vehicle industry.

According to sales estimates from Kelley Blue Book (KBB), reported by Cox Automotive, KBB’s parent company, EVs accounted for approximately 8% of total new-vehicle sales in the United States in the second quarter of 2024. These numbers could be significantly higher, if the charging experience was going more smoothly. However, it is not going perfectly at the moment. EV charging reliability isn’t the only problem facing early EV adopters.

Compatibility Problems

Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) is the exclusive charging standard for its vehicles. The Combined Charging System (CCS) is the standard adopted by virtually every other EV automaker. The EV charging industry is witnessing a significant shift, as last year, almost every original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and charging company announced plans to adopt Tesla’s NACS in all future products. Adapters are available to charge NACS vehicles on CCS, and vice-versa. A number of Tesla Supercharger stations have been opened to CCS vehicles. So, the compatibility problems that once existed are quickly going away.

Charging Deserts

“Charging Deserts,” or areas in the United States where public charging is scarce, is another issue facing early EV adopters. The insufficient number of charging stations, particularly in rural and suburban areas, is slowing adoption. The lack of charging infrastructure disproportionately affects those who live in multi-unit dwellings or lack access to home charging. Without the ability to charge at home, these drivers are entirely dependent on public chargers. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office’s Electric Vehicle Charging Station Location Map, powered by the Alternative Fuels Data Center, allows users to easily see where the charging deserts currently are.

The National Charging Experience Consortium is Working on Solutions

The National Charging Experience Consortium (ChargeX Consortium) is addressing reliability and other EV charging problems. By leveraging the expertise of industry leaders, the Consortium is working on developing and implementing solutions that will standardize charging station technologies, improve maintenance practices, and enhance user experience. Argonne National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are participating in the National Charging Experience Consortium.

The needs and concerns of EV drivers are at the forefront of these developments, ensuring that the solutions are practical, user-friendly, and accessible to all. EVinfo.net is a proud member of the ChargeX Consortium.

What are the Real Culprits Behind EV Charging Downtime?

According to the latest J.D. Power surveys on charging satisfaction, reported by Automotive News, public EV charging stations experienced an 18% failure rate for charging attempts in the fourth quarter of 2023. A wide variety of problems may cause downtime for EV chargers. But the real culprit of EV charging downtime is cellular connectivity. A whopping 55% of EV charger failures are caused by network connectivity problems.

Most chargers today have only a single network. Chargers that frequently go offline due to network issues can lead to frustration and diminish trust in the charging infrastructure. A quick and easy solution to this problem is adding multiple mobile network operator (MNO) profiles to EV chargers, providing backup networks if the primary network is down.

For charging network operators, managing chargers with multiple MNO profiles can lead to better operational efficiency. It reduces the need for physical maintenance visits to address network-related issues and allows for remote monitoring and management of the chargers. This proactive approach to ensuring connectivity helps keep the network running smoothly and reduces the overall cost of maintaining the infrastructure.

Endeavour’s Innovative nSpire Solution Offers a Quick and Easy Fix

A major global mobile connectivity leader, Endeavour Technology, made a major breakthrough in technology, allowing a quick and easy fix to the EV charging reliability problems caused by mobile network failures.The company has been optimizing mobile connectivity around the globe since 2014.

Endeavour Technology’s breakthrough is a super lightweight applet. This patented software technology is installed ‘over the air’ to the SIM in any EV charger using standard SIM update processes. It works seamlessly, anywhere in the world, without the need for physical site visits or changes to the EV charger. nSpire is a groundbreaking solution that automatically measures and optimizes the network connectivity.

Endeavour’s Innovative nSpire Solution

Endeavour’s Innovative nSpire applet identifies connectivity issues, and relays crucial insights to the Charge Point Operator (CPO). It also takes corrective action ensuring the EV charger is always connected to the best cell tower on the best network. An added benefit of using the applet is providing highly detailed, intuitive dashboards, displaying real-time insights and trends.

Quickly Identify Problems

Endeavour’s innovative nSpire solution swiftly pinpoints whether the network or the device is causing issues, providing this amazing clarity within hours of installation. This real-time visibility allows many problems to be resolved remotely, ensuring uninterrupted service for EV drivers. When remote fixes aren’t possible, CPOs receive immediate alerts with detailed issue reports, enabling them to quickly dispatch a technician with the proper expertise to address the problem. This proactive approach minimizes downtime and ensures a seamless charging experience.

Endeavour’s nSpire Minimizes Downtime and More

With nSpire, drivers can trust that the charger will always be operational, restoring confidence in EV infrastructure. For CPOs, nSpire ensures they always know the status of their stations and receive instant alerts to any issues, enabling swift action and minimizing downtime.

Endeavour’s nSpire Platform is transforming EV charging through enhanced connectivity and reliability, fostering trust at every level of the EV ecosystem.

Since Endeavour Technology opened for business in 2014, its customers have grown, and the company’s use cases have flourished as the market recognized the value of its solutions. As the industry evolved, the significance of what Endeavour Technology offers became increasingly apparent. Through its comprehensive product portfolio—powered by the company’s innovative cloud-based nSpire platform—it has forged trusted partnerships with Communication Service Providers, automotive OEMs, and enterprises that rely on IoT to deliver digital solutions.

What all of these partners need is a unified view of both the device and customer aspects of the network to optimize their connected services. With Endeavour Technology’s insights surfaced on its platform, clients can make service assurance a cornerstone of their operations. This approach not only drives continual performance improvement but also provides a solid foundation for market differentiation.

Ready to elevate your EV charging experience through enhanced reliability? Book a demo with Endeavour today and see how nSpire can make a difference.