The electric tide is coming. From our vantage point on shore, we can see the wave of innovation barreling toward us, ready to crest at any moment, bringing with it game-changing new methods of mobility that are more efficient, sustainable and better for the environment. From Lexus’s recent announcement to go all-electric in the next eight years to Hertz’s trailblazing deal to purchase 65,000 Polestar EVs to the federal government’s five billion dollars in funding through the NEVI Formula Program, the flood of electrified transport will be swift and incontrovertible.

However, naysayers who have hooked their (gas-powered) wagons to the dying tech of fossil fuel-based ICEs still abound, with such stubbornness likely to result in them becoming fossils themselves as the rest of the world evolves around them. Many cite a litany of pain points, whether real or perceived, in explaining their reticence to go electric while, unbeknownst to them, EVCS has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to turn that pain into gain. How so, you ask? Below are four of the top pain points cited by EV critics and what we’re doing to relegate them to the dustbin of history.

Price

Prospective buyers often fret about the higher sticker price of an EV, but with greater competition by manufacturers, a burgeoning used EV market and numerous government subsidies, cost-effective options are available for just about everybody. Our Level 2 and DC fast chargers work with every make and model of EV on the road, new or used, BEV or PHEV, CCS or CHAdeMO, and yes, even Teslas (with the necessary adapter). Moreover, our kWh rates are way cheaper than gas prices, which have been a huge pain point for ICE drivers lately. A typical EV driver will pay $50-60 to charge up on a pay-as-you-go plan. However, during the month of March, ICE drivers in California were paying an average of $5.80 for a gallon of regular unleaded, meaning it costs them almost $93 to fill up a car with a typical 16-gallon tank. Our unique subscription plan offers even greater savings by allowing EV drivers to charge as much as they want for one low flat rate of $49.99.

Range Anxiety

According to a January 2020 survey conducted by AAA, nine out of 10 EV owners said insufficient range was a major concern prior to going electric. However, with companies like EVCS investing large sums in infrastructure, such concerns are going the way of the dodo. We’ve been developing electric highways, starting with our purchase and renovation of the WCEH, which involves installing more stations along major highways and corridors. We’ve been targeting site hosts like shopping centers and hotels in charging deserts where fewer options exist. We created a powerful network with search solutions that allow drivers to easily identify nearby chargers. And we’ve been supporting battery tech innovation like cobalt-free batteries and biological semiconductors that offer unprecedented range and charging times.

Environmental Concerns

Some contend that EVs simply shift emissions from the tailpipe to the grid or to the mine since fossil fuels are still largely used in generating electricity and in extracting and processing materials used for battery production. However, tailpipe emissions still represent the largest share of atmospheric pollutants, with a typical passenger vehicle releasing 4.6 metric tons of CO2 per year, according to the EPA. We have systematically reduced our dependence on fossil fuels by purchasing offsets from green-energy providers, making us one of the first network operators to obtain 100% of our power from renewable sources. In addition, we’ve advocated for fair labor laws and global regulations that make mining for essential rare-earth minerals safer for people and the environment.

Barriers to Home Charging

Those living in condos and apartment buildings have to rely on public chargers far more often than residents of single-family homes, according to a 2019 UC Davis study. We understand the convenience of being able to charge at home, which is why we’ve been increasing charging stations at multi-unit dwellings (MUDs) by offering property owners no-cost turnkey installation and a revenue-share program on every kWh charged. We’ve also been researching ways we can work with municipalities to install chargers for public street parking, much like a meter, and have increased infrastructure at grocery stores, gyms, movie theaters, restaurants, parks and offices in areas where more MUDs exist.

Yes, the electric tide is coming. But when it hits the shore, it won’t be a source of pain. It’ll be a source of power.