EV Charge Times Being Rationed

Electrify America is launching a “Congestion Reduction Pilot” program aimed at reducing wait times by capping the state of charge at 85% for EVs at select charging stations.

Initially, this will be implemented at ten locations in California. Once an EV reaches 85% charge, the charger will automatically stop, initiating a 10-minute grace period for the vehicle to be removed. If the car remains plugged in after this period, idle fees will be applied.

The primary objective is to free up fast chargers more quickly once a vehicle has received its bulk charge. Most EVs slow their charging rate significantly after reaching around 80% state of charge. For instance, charging a Kia EV6 from 10-80% takes approximately 16 minutes on a fast charger, but the final 20% can take an additional 15-20 minutes. This slowdown causes congestion at charging stations, leading to longer wait times for other drivers.

Electrify America is aware that some trips may require a full 100% charge. To address this, the pilot stations are located in high-utilization areas not typically used for long-distance travel. This consideration ensures that those needing a full charge can find alternative stations within a reasonable distance.

Attempts to bypass the 85% limit will be thwarted by Electrify America’s system. If an EV with over 85% charge tries to start a session, the charger will not activate. Similarly, reconnecting after the charger stops at 85% will be ineffective. This policy applies universally, with no exceptions for manufacturer-backed charging plans or other potential loopholes.

The pilot program begins this month, and Electrify America will monitor the performance and customer feedback to decide on potential expansions. The list of participating stations will be regularly updated as the program evolves.

This article was co-written using AI and was then heavily edited and optimized by our editorial team.

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