Challenges and Opportunities for EV Infrastructure: Observations from the 3rd Annual EV Charging Infrastructure Midwest Conference

The Midwest continues to gear up for an electric transformation. As electric vehicle (EV) adoption rates continue to grow, the need for a robust, efficient charging infrastructure is paramount. At the 3rd Annual EV Charging Infrastructure Midwest Conference, which I recently attended in Chicago, industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators converged to tackle the unique challenges and opportunities facing the region.

From portable charging solutions to future-proofing strategies, the conference tackled various ideas, obstacles and practical solutions. The Midwest, with its deep automotive heritage and emerging EV focus, stands at the crossroads of tradition and innovation. Let’s explore some of the key trends and observations that emerged at the conference, which highlight some of the challenges and opportunities for businesses and communities looking to navigate the electrified future of transportation in the Midwest and beyond.

Emerging Technologies and Solutions: Portable Batteries

The conference showcased several innovative approaches to EV charging, including portable batteries. These mobile power banks offer a promising solution for range anxiety, allowing drivers to charge their vehicles even when traditional charging stations are unavailable. 

However, the technology is not without its challenges. Current portable batteries often have limited charging capacity and can be cumbersome due to their size and weight. Despite these drawbacks, many industry experts view portable batteries as a technology with significant potential. As battery technology advances, we can expect to see improvements in capacity, reduction in size and weight, and decreased costs, making them an increasingly viable option for EV owners.

Future-Proofing Infrastructure

The conference emphasized the critical need for future-proofing EV charging infrastructure. As EV adoption accelerates, builders and contractors must plan beyond current needs to anticipate future demand, especially in multi-family apartment and home building.

Key future-proofing strategies include:

1. Increasing electrical capacity: Installing larger conduits and panels to facilitate future upgrades.
2. Designing flexible spaces: Implementing systems that can adapt to evolving charging technologies.
3. Planning for scalability: Preparing sites for additional charging stations, even if not immediately installed.

While future-proofing may increase initial costs, it can lead to substantial long-term savings by avoiding expensive retrofits. The challenge lies in balancing investment with uncertainty. Over-investing in potentially obsolete infrastructure poses its own risks.

Charging Station Design and Layout

The conference addressed issues related to the practical aspects of charging station design, with a particular focus on discussions about the relative pros and cons between pull-through layouts and traditional parking spaces.

Pull-through layouts offer several potential advantages:

1. Ease of use for larger vehicles or those towing trailers
2. Reduced maneuvering, potentially improving safety
3. Faster turnover as drivers can easily exit once charged

However, parking space layouts have their own potential benefits:

1. More space-efficient, especially in urban areas
2. Familiar to most drivers
3. Easier to integrate into existing parking structures

The choice between these layouts often depends on the specific location and expected user base. For highway rest stops or rural areas, pull-through designs might be preferable. In contrast, urban centers or shopping malls might benefit more from parking space layouts.

Workforce Development and Funding Opportunities

A critical component of expanding EV charging infrastructure is developing a skilled workforce to install, maintain, and operate these systems. The conference highlighted that workforce development is not only essential but also an eligible expense under various grant programs, including those established by the Inflation Reduction Act.

Key points discussed included:

1. Skills gap: The rapid growth of EV infrastructure has created a demand for specialized technicians that currently outpaces supply.
2. Training programs: Several initiatives are emerging to address this gap, including partnerships between community colleges and industry leaders to create targeted curricula.
3. Funding opportunities: Grants are available for both infrastructure projects and associated workforce development. These can cover costs for training programs, apprenticeships, and certification courses.
4. Job creation: The expansion of EV infrastructure represents a significant opportunity for job growth in the Midwest, particularly in electrical trades and green energy sectors.

Regulatory and Policy Changes

Another point of discussion was the trend of communities amending ordinances to reclassify EV charging stations from accessory uses to primary uses. This shift has important implications for the expansion of charging infrastructure.

Key points discussed:

1. Zoning flexibility: Reclassification as a primary use allows charging stations to be installed on properties without requiring another primary use, potentially opening up more locations for deployment.
2. Streamlined approvals: This change can simplify the permitting process, reducing bureaucratic hurdles for installing new charging stations.
3. Property valuation: Recognition as a primary use may impact property valuations and tax assessments, potentially creating new economic incentives for property owners.
4. Land use planning: The reclassification encourages urban planners to consider EV charging as an essential service in community development.

These regulatory and policy changes reflect the evolving landscape of EV adoption, and the questions communities must consider to prepare for an electrified transportation future.

Conclusion

As the region charges ahead into an electrified future, the insights and strategies such as those shared at this conference will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable, efficient, and inclusive EV ecosystem. The road ahead may have its challenges, but the Midwest—and Michigan in particular—can be well-positioned to be a driving force in the nation’s transition to electric vehicles. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss EV infrastructure legal, land use or regulatory issues, please contact Zana Tomich.