Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is one of the most resounding success stories in the 21st-century automotive industry. In 2011, the United States had fewer than 1,000 EV charging stations. Just two years later, that number had risen to over 18,000 nationwide, and the growth shows no sign of stopping as new generations of drivers prioritize safety and environmental friendliness in their transportation.
That’s made it an exciting decade for EV charging station companies, with demand driving the growth of charging networks across North America and the wider world. Interested in learning who’s behind the growth? Then take a look at the article below for more information on major car charging companies and the expansion of CCS charging networks across the continent.
As with any sudden industrial boom, the EV charging landscape has changed drastically over the last 20 years. One-time promising companies are now long gone, while others have managed to secure a loyal customer base and a lasting business model.
Many of these companies were already established names in the automotive industry and other sectors, while the EV boom has provided plenty of room for up-and-coming businesses to contribute to cleaner, more efficient travel. Here are some of the top names to look for.
Swedish company ABB is best known for its contributions to the robotics industry, but it’s also an important player in EV charging. The company offers an extensive range of charging solutions, from home chargers to high-powered DC models for public charging stations and buses.
One of ABB’s most exciting developments is the Terra 360, which the company claims can fully charge an electric car in under 15 minutes. Although it doesn’t maintain a separate charging network, ABB is one of the largest manufacturers of EV charging technology, having delivered over 1 million chargers as of 2023.
ChargePoint, formerly Coulomb Technologies, claims to operate the largest network of EV charging stations in the world, with over 174,000 activated ports in 48,000 stations across the globe. Most of the company’s American infrastructure can be found in California, Texas, and Florida, although the network exists in 26 other states as well as Washington, D.C.
In addition to its charging network, ChargePoint offers EV charging hardware and software for public and private use. Perhaps its most notable customer is Disney, which maintains ChargePoint charging stations at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
There’s scarcely a technological sector in the modern economy in which Siemens doesn’t play a part, so it’s no surprise that it’s also one of the most successful electric vehicle charging companies. Europe’s largest engineering company primarily supplies home charging solutions and hardware for public charging stations on the Combined Charging System (CCS) model.
Siemens’ focus in EV charging is on scalable products for public or affordable private use with a design emphasis on fast charging. They’ve been particularly active in supplying charging equipment for airports, college and university campuses, smart buildings, and hospitality venues.
Other EV charging station companies worth mentioning include:
When the EV revival began, the first charging protocol on the scene was CHAdeMO, a joint product of the Tokyo Electric Power Company and several major Japanese car manufacturers. However, CHAdeMO requires separate plugs for AC and DC power, so in 2013, the earliest Combined Charging System (CCS) stations were introduced for simpler, faster EV charging.
CCS got a major boost in North America when major automakers like GM, Ford, and Volkswagen agreed to install CCS-compatible charging ports in all new EVs. Over the course of the following decade, CCS accounted for the majority of new public EV charging stations as the number available grew to over 50,000 across the United States.
The federal government has even included CCS in its National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, requiring car charging companies to include CCS connectors in their products if they want to access the $7.5 billion set aside for the promotion of EVs in the United States. The primary challenge to CCS comes from Tesla’s Supercharger network, which was recently opened to non-Tesla drivers with participation from Ford, GM, Nissan, and others.
Even so, CCS is still the most widespread electric vehicle fast-charging standard in the world. And with EV manufacturers still producing cars equipped with CCS connectors, it’s likely to be a feature of the electric vehicle landscape for a long time to come.
As we witness the convergence of innovation, collaboration, and sustainability, the expansion of EV charging networks continues to make waves. The future promises further advancements, with companies striving to make charging not just convenient but an integral part of everyday life. With each charge, we’re moving closer to a world where electric mobility is not just a choice but a way of life—a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable way forward. So, as we plug into this electrifying journey, let’s remember that the road ahead is bright, and together, we’re charging towards a greener tomorrow.
Published August 22, 2023 2:02PM
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