Electrify America has recently introduced a new pilot program called the “Congestion Reduction Pilot” in an effort to decrease wait times at charging stations. This program involves limiting the state of charge to 85% at selected stations, starting with 10 locations in California.
The main goal of this initiative is to encourage EV owners to free up the chargers once their vehicles have completed the bulk of the charging process. After reaching 85% state of charge, the charging session will automatically stop, allowing for a 10-minute grace period before idle fees apply if the car is not removed from the charger.
The reason behind this strategy is that most EVs experience a significant decrease in charging speed once they surpass 80% state of charge. This slowdown in charging rate can lead to congestion at charging stations, resulting in longer wait times for other EV owners.
While some road trips may require a full 100% charge, Electrify America has selected high-utilization locations for the pilot program, which are not commonly used for long-distance travel. These stations were chosen based on factors such as distance between stations and utilization statistics, ensuring that drivers in need of a full charge can find alternative charging options nearby.
It is important to note that the program strictly enforces the 85% limit, preventing users from initiating a charging session if their EV already exceeds this threshold. Additionally, any attempts to plug back in after reaching the limit will not be successful, with no exceptions for manufacturer charging plans or other loopholes.
The pilot program is set to begin this month, with a list of participating stations available for users to view. Electrify America will continue to monitor station performance and customer feedback to determine if the program will be expanded to additional locations.
Overall, this new initiative by Electrify America aims to streamline the charging process, reduce wait times, and enhance the overall EV charging experience for drivers. By implementing a state of charge limit of 85%, the company hopes to create a more efficient and user-friendly environment at its charging stations.