#43: Charging reliability declines

Public charging reliability worsens, Massachusetts launches V2X program, and we profile Senator Todd Young and Deputy Secretary of Energy Nominee James Danly

Author

Steve Taylor
March 15, 2025

Together with

 

The 3 big stories:

  • J.D. Power finds charger reliability issues persist

  • Massachusetts launches V2X charging program

  • Profiling Senator Todd Young and DOE Secretary of Energy Nominee James Danly

Plus, featured jobs and news.

Enjoy,

–Steve

Webinar Recap: The Future of EV Charging in the Multi-family Market

On Tuesday, March 4, EVPowerInsights and Ohm Analytics hosted a webinar on Powering Multi-Family Properties. Panelists included Aubrey Gunnels (3V Infrastructure), Steve Krueger (Automotive Charging Solutions), Larsen Burack (Ohm Analytics), and Dario Pagani (Autel Energy).

Topics discussed included;

  • Multifamily charger deployment challenges

  • Profitability of charging stations in multifamily properties

  • Importance of data collection in the automotive industry

  • Impact of AI on the charging experience at multifamily properties

  • Unique challenges installing and operating chargers at multifamily properties

Current EVents

EV Industry Updates

The latest J.D. Power E-Vision Intelligence Report highlights persistent reliability issues with public EV charging, with one in five charging attempts failing—an increase from 19% in Q3 2024 and 18% in Q4 2023, signaling stalled progress.

Equipment failures remain the primary culprit, accounting for 62% of unsuccessful charging attempts due to out-of-service stations. 

Other common issues include long wait times (18%), payment failures (11%), damaged connectors (9%), and non-EVs occupying charging spots (7%).

Among prospective EV buyers, the top barriers to adoption are charging availability (51%), charging speed (49%), and range limitations (47%).

Tesla’s Supercharger network continues to lead in satisfaction, scoring 701 on a 1,000-point scale with a 27-point year-over-year improvement. 

However, Tesla owners’ satisfaction dipped by 2 points as the network expanded to serve other brands.

Steve's Take

The persistence of a 20% failure rate in public EV charging is concerning, especially given the industry’s intense focus on fixing these issues.

Despite ongoing expansion efforts, the charging experience hasn’t meaningfully improved for the average EV driver. The push for more stations has overshadowed the need to address core reliability challenges, leaving consumers frustrated.

The rising satisfaction of non-Tesla owners with Supercharger access highlights the appeal of a dependable network, but declining satisfaction among Tesla owners suggests that increased congestion is eroding the experience.

To fix these problems, companies must prioritize operational excellence and reliability, investing as much in maintaining existing infrastructure as they do in expanding it. Those that can deliver a seamless, dependable charging experience will gain a significant competitive edge in an increasingly demanding market.

–Steve

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Power and Policy

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has announced a first-of-its-kind statewide bidirectional EV charging program, deploying 100 chargers across residential, commercial, and school locations at no cost to participants.

The two-year "vehicle-to-everything" (V2X) demonstration aims to add 1.5 MW of distributed energy storage capacity across the state by September 2026.

Between 50-60 chargers will be installed at single-family homes, prioritizing low-income and disadvantaged communities, while 30-40 units will go to commercial sites and 10-20 to school bus storage facilities.

Participants must own or plan to purchase bidirectional-capable EVs.

They will benefit from site backup power capabilities, self-consumption options, and revenue opportunities through ConnectedSolutions grid events.

The program involves multiple partners, with Resource Innovations handling program design and management, while The Mobility House provides vehicle-grid integration software. 

Voltrek and B2Q will manage site engineering and construction.

This initiative aligns with Massachusetts' broader goal of having 900,000 EVs on state roads by 2030.

Rob's Take

Massachusetts' V2X program is an exciting step in the proliferation of bidirectional charging technology. 

By spanning residential, commercial, and school sectors, this initiative will provide valuable real-world data on how V2X technology performs across different use cases.

The focus on disadvantaged communities is encouraging, as it addresses equity concerns that have been abandoned federally. 

The real value in this program is in establishing operational protocols and identifying integration challenges before larger-scale deployment. The planned public guidebook documenting program lessons will be an invaluable resource for other states considering similar initiatives.

Massachusetts isn't alone in this pursuit—Maryland and Colorado have launched comparable efforts—but the scale and multi-sector approach of this program makes it uniquely comprehensive. 

As states seek ways to stabilize grids and incorporate renewable energy, bidirectional charging offers a promising avenue for leveraging existing infrastructure.

–Rob 

People and Positions

Senator Todd Young of Indiana

Senator Todd Young brings a diverse background spanning military service, business, and legislative experience to his role:

  • U.S. Senator from Indiana since 2017

  • Graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former Marine Corps Captain

  • Previously served three terms in the House of Representatives (2011-2016)

  • Current member of Senate Committees on Finance; Commerce, Science & Transportation; Small Business and Entrepreneurship; and Intelligence

Young has developed a reputation as a bipartisan problem solver, most notably championing the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022 to strengthen domestic semiconductor production and compete with China.

Recently, Young co-introduced the Guaranteeing Reliability through the Interconnection of Dispatchable (GRID) Power Act with Senator Hoeven, legislation aimed at streamlining approval processes for baseload power generation projects and improving grid reliability.

Unlike some of his Republican colleagues, Young has acknowledged the Biden administration's contributions to EV infrastructure development in Indiana.

Rob's Take

Young's somewhat more balanced perspective on EV infrastructure sets him apart from many others in his party. 

His willingness to acknowledge the value of Biden-era investments in Indiana's charging network suggests he might be more open to pragmatic discussions about infrastructure development than ideological opposition.

That said, his recent co-sponsorship of the GRID Power Act reveals his clear prioritization of traditional baseload power sources. 

Still, for the EV charging industry, Young represents a potential bridge figure—someone who recognizes the economic benefits of infrastructure development while remaining committed to traditional energy priorities. 

His business background and pragmatic approach could make him receptive to market-based arguments for continued EV infrastructure support, especially those highlighting job creation and economic development in Indiana.

–Rob 

James Danly: Deputy Secretary of Energy Nominee

James Danly brings significant regulatory experience as the Deputy Secretary of Energy nominee:

  • Former Chairman, Commissioner, and General Counsel of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

  • Head of Skadden's Energy Regulatory Group

  • Army veteran who served two tours in Iraq, receiving a Bronze Star and Purple Heart

  • Played a key role in defining FERC's authority for gas pipeline and LNG infrastructure development

During his tenure at FERC, Danly established himself as a staunch critic of policies supporting renewable energy expansion. 

In 2020, he voted against Order 2222, which would have allowed distributed energy resources—including electric vehicles—to participate in wholesale energy markets.

Danly has consistently voiced concerns about grid reliability, warning of a "looming reliability crisis in our electricity markets." 

He attributes these challenges primarily to subsidized renewable energy, which he contends undermines the economics of traditional power plants in organized markets.

More recently, in congressional testimony, Danly criticized Biden Administration policies, particularly asserting that EPA's clean energy initiatives failed to adequately consider reliability consequences.

Rob's Take

Danly's appointment reinforces the administration's established position on energy policy and will further accelerate the ongoing shift away from federal EV infrastructure support. 

His past positions at FERC demonstrate his alignment with the current direction of scaling back renewable energy incentives.

For the EV charging sector, Danly's influence at DOE will likely intensify the already significant challenges to securing federal support. 

His emphasis on traditional baseload power and consistent skepticism of new energy technologies suggests he will be a strong advocate for the administration's focus on conventional energy infrastructure.

–Rob 

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⚡️Steve and Rob

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