How to Avoid This Huge EV Charging Installation Blunder

A company in Louisiana made a huge mistake when planning the installation of an electric vehicle (EV) charging station. It was one small, low-cost, but vital service that was overlooked. By making this mistake, it cost the company dearly. Don’t let this happen to you! The overlooked service applies to all kinds of business, not just EV charging. Keep reading for all the answers to this tragic situation. You may be saving yourself from a huge mishap, regardless of what business you are in.

The American EV Revolution is Growing Like Crazy

Experts predict that 10% of all vehicles sold in the United States will be electric in 2024. This high growth of EV adoption is causing concern among automotive dealers, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) focused primarily on making gas-powered, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. It is also causing lots of investment on the part of business leaders, seeing the tremendous potential for profit. American EV sales passed the historic 1.2 million sold mark in 2023, a significant milestone. EV sales in the fourth quarter of 2023 set a record for both volume and share: 317,168 units and 8.1%, respectively, according to Kelley Blue Book, an automotive data company.

Tesla, an American Success Story

Tesla Motors, founded in 2003, has risen to the global peak of automotive success in 21 short years. Its controversial CEO, Elon Musk, has made billions in profit, along with its investors. Musk is frequently listed as one of the top five richest people on the planet. Tesla currently has six Gigafactories located in Fremont, California; Sparks, Nevada; Berlin, Germany; Shanghai, China; Austin, Texas; and Buffalo, New York. These are massive factories churning out the company’s Model S, Y, X, and Cybertruck. The Tesla Model Y sold 1.23 million units in 2023, a 64 percent increase compared to 2022. This made it the world’s best-selling vehicle for 2023.

Incredible Federal EV Charging Investment

The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law in November 2021. The $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, a part of IIJA, funds EV charging installation. This commits significant federal funding to advance clean transportation and energy programs throughout the U.S. to reduce climate-changing, harmful greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). NEVI funds are required to be used initially on federally designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. These corridors are major artery freeways and roads that connect the states, making intrastate travel possible. The first NEVI-funded EV charging station, a Pilot station with chargers from EV charging company EVgo, opened in December 2023. Many more are currently under construction.

“Charging your electric vehicle should be as easy and convenient as filling up a gas tank – and these grants will help do that by making our EV charging network more reliable,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “We’re building a bigger and better EV charging network to keep up with driver demand, and we’re also ensuring the existing network works when you need a charge.”

EV Charging is Growing at Breakneck Speed in America

The combination of these things, the rising sales of electric vehicles, billions in federal funding for installing EV charging, and the tremendous success of Tesla and many other companies that produce EVs have caused an EV charging gold rush. Investors can immediately see that there are great profits to be made. EV charging was one of the fastest-growing businesses in America in 2023. 

The Federal Government has a goal of having 50 percent of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2030. Part of that goal is a convenient, affordable, reliable, and national network of EV chargers made in America. At least 500,000 publicly available chargers by 2030 are planned. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimated that the U.S. will need 28 million charging ports by 2030 for the 33 million light-duty electric vehicles expected to be on the roads by then.

Do EV Charging Installation Right

Lots of EV charging is getting installed. However, there is a crucial service that must not be overlooked. Earlier, we mentioned a company in Louisiana that made a huge mistake when planning the installation of an electric vehicle (EV) charging station. Installation is very complex, with many permits needed, from the city where it’s installed to the utility power companies involved. For most project managers, the installation goes smoothly. That was thought to be the case in Louisiana until after the project was completed. Then the unthinkable happened.

An Unhappy Neighbor

In the Louisiana case, a private residence was next to the stations. The owner of the property didn’t want the stations that close to their house, and a costly lawsuit ensued. Due to the layout of the properties, the homeowner was able to block access to the stations, causing a loss of revenue to the station owner and making the problem even more costly. What was the one small, low-cost, but vital service that was overlooked? A simple property title report. The lawsuit was eventually settled through arbitration, but it was a long and costly process.

The Great Value of a Title Property Report

A title property report shows the history of a piece of property, including information about past ownership, liens, and any other claims or encumbrances on the property. It is typically ordered by a buyer or lender as part of the process of purchasing or financing a home, and it is also used in business property deals. When the property was examined in the planning stages of installing the EV charging, this title report would have revealed the problem with the neighbor and thus avoided it, deeming the property unsuitable. Title reports are recommended by experts for any kind of use of business property. You’ll save significant headaches by using this simple, low-cost service.

Punctual Abstract specializes in EV charging property title projects. It is a leading nationwide source for abstracts, title evidence, and comprehensive national title production services. Based in Harvey, LA, and celebrating 30 years in business, the company is your one point of contact for residential and commercial land title data and energy sector searches.

Contact Rich King, Executive Director of Business Strategy and Client Success at Punctual Abstract today. Knowledge is power, and with Punctual Abstract’s company reports, you’ll have all of the data about any property you desire, giving you the edge in any property-related business project.

Rich King
Executive Director of Business Strategy and Client Success
[email protected]
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Steve Daigle, Jr.
CEO/President
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Punctual Abstract also specializes in other energy-related projects. Punctual Abstract’s PunctualEnergy Division features a team of knowledgeable experts who completely understand the multiple intricacies of energy-related landowner data research and much more. Customized reports for the solar, wind, oil & gas, and battery storage industries are available.