EV Charging Networks are infrastructure systems of EV charging stations that are connected to one another via an internet connection for payment, access management and usage monitoring. These networks provide services to EV owners and can help site planners identify suitable chargers for their sites, and support installers with specifications and training resources.

The largest EV charging networks are operated by private companies, such as ChargePoint and Greenlots (recently acquired by Royal Dutch Shell). Some have membership requirements, such as a physical card or smartphone login, while others allow users to “roam” across different networks’ stations without requiring additional memberships. In addition to public stations, many of these networks also have home and workplace charging solutions.

A significant gap remains between the number of EVs on the road and the availability of public charging infrastructure. The Biden administration is taking steps to close this gap and ensure that Americans have the best possible choice of charging stations.

NREL’s 2030 National Charging Network report estimates that to meet the energy demands of a mid-adoption scenario for EVs, America will need 28 million publicly accessible fast chargers. Providing these will be key to enabling long-distance travel, ride-hailing electrification, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

This includes a robust network of Level 2 stations, including those with multiple ports capable of fast charging, and high-speed DC Fast Charging (DCFC) stations. It also calls for more than a million Level 2 ports at high-density locations, such as apartment buildings and office parking lots, and tens of millions of additional residential charging ports to accommodate the demand from the most common electric vehicle ownership profiles. EV Charging Networks