Trump and his Oil Oligarch donors are doing their damndest to kill EVs, and the US Auto industry in the process. One hope for change is that free market players are getting into the EV charger game and improving access and service across the country.
Automakers and charging companies are building new stations and updating their cars to allow drivers to more easily and quickly recharge their vehicles. They are also outfitting charging stations with more amenities like food and bathrooms while making the devices more reliable. And because chargers are only as fast as the cars they connect with, automakers are designing new cars to absorb electricity at Usain Bolt-level speeds. In addition, many automakers have cut deals with Tesla allowing owners of other cars access to the company’s fast-charging network, the largest in the country and widely considered the most reliable.
There is early evidence that efforts to improve electric vehicle charging are paying off.
In recent years, J.D. Power surveys showed that about 20 percent of attempts to charge electric vehicles at all public stations ended in failure because of faulty chargers, long lines or payment glitches. But in the first three months of 2025, overall failure rates fell to 16 percent, the biggest improvement since the surveys began in 2021.
Big box retailer Walmart announced a plan to build a nationwide network of electric car chargers at its stores by 2030, which could dramatically alter the EV charging landscape at a time when the federal government is clawing back its support for EV infrastructure, endangering a proposed nationwide charging network that would have been funded with federal dollars.
As Bill Murphy Jr. explains in an article for Inc., the store acknowledged the advantages of having customers charge their cars at a location where they can shop for additional items — in the same way gas station customers bring in business by buying snacks and road trip supplies while filling up.
According to a press release from the company, “With a store or club located within 10 miles of approximately 90% of Americans, we are uniquely positioned to deliver a convenient charging option that will help make EV ownership possible whether people live in rural, suburban or urban areas.”
Six months ago, I purchased a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV. Since then, I have taken several trips. I have made round trips from Swartz Creek (the Flint area) to Detroit, Lansing, St. Clair, Midland and Lake Odessa (about 170 miles round trip).
Chevrolet recommends a charge between 20% to 80% at all times. You can occasionally exceed these recommendations with minimal effect on the battery, but doing so regularly will prematurely wear on the battery. While charging infrastructure remains spotty, many people find they can do most of their charging at home.
A trip to Alpena (a round-trip of 398 miles) was the first trip I made that required me to depend on public chargers. To find public chargers, I used an app called PlugShare.
When linked with Google Maps, PlugShare provides turn-by-turn directions to a public charger. The app also gives one to 10 ratings on each charger for a very accurate evaluation of the charger’s reliability. Most chargers are rated at 10.
The app also lists the price of electricity at each charging station. It has a comment section for drivers to relate their experience at these sites and information on nearby restaurants and amenities. PlugShare plans a route for you and recommends places to stop and charge.
One would expect that a trip to the UP would pose a challenge in finding fast chargers, but that was not my experience. A charge in St Ignace got me to Escanaba. I could also camp with my EV at Mowe Lake in the middle of the UP away from any hint of civilization. I had no concerns driving along a stretch of US 2 without any fast chargers, knowing there would soon be chargers in Manistique.
The Trump Administration and Congress are bound to cut funds to develop a network of fast chargers. Despite these probable cuts, several charging companies and automakers are bringing new chargers online on a regular basis.
Eight major car manufacturers banded together to form a company named iONNA. iONNA plans to develop a network of chargers throughout the country with probable additional amenities. This combined effort should speed up the number of charging stations available.
Most chargers accept credit card payments. To use a Tesla charger, you need to use a phone app and an adapter if you’re not driving a Tesla, which with practice is typically a smooth experience. I recommend getting the Tesla app on your phone and practicing using it before leaving on a long trip.
While charging times on the road can be longer than a stop for fuel at a gas station, the majority of drivers do most of their charging at home. Due to this downtime refueling, I have found that I spend less time charging than filling up with gas.
When I get home, it only takes a few seconds to plug my car in. I then go about my business and come back later to a fully charged car. There is no standing out in the elements to “refuel” your car, or inhaling gas fumes. Every year, there are breakthroughs in the speed of charging.
When I charge while on a trip, I make good use of my time. I use my phone to catch up on my email and social media posts. I grab a bite to eat and do other tasks. Depending on a variety of driving conditions, I can drive two and a half to three and a half hours on a charge. Wise practicality and safety procedures require a break after that much time on the road.