One of the largest sticking points for potential electric vehicle (EV) buyers is the concern over access to enough EV chargers.
The fear is that drivers will be on a trip or traveling to work and the EV will run out of charge, leaving the driver and passengers stranded. It is called range anxiety and has been an issue with EVs since the launch of the automobiles.
General Motors (GM) is seeking to ease the minds of potential EV buyers with a look at how to find one of its nearly 174,000 EV charging ports. The company has an app and an in-vehicle station locater that helps find a nearby station. It can also plot a route through the in-vehicle navigation to these stations or if for a longer journey, plot a route where available stations are located.
GM said it is also planning to up its number of stations in the coming years through deals with EVgo and Pilot Travel Centers; the installation of 40,000 chargers through its Dealer Community Charging Program; and its agreement with Telsa Motors to allow its vehicles to use Tesla’s Supercharger network.
Additionally, GM and other automotive original equipment manufacturers may end up working and supporting more third party platforms as they come online, such as the recent curbside fast charging stations unveiled by Gravity.