California now has more electric vehicle (EV) chargers than gas pumps. The count includes EV chargers in private homes and businesses, but that’s not a technicality that cancels its meaning. It’s an illustration of how a mature EV charging network will work.
The Numbers
A press release from the office of Gov. Gavin Newsome (Dem.) explains, “The California Energy Commission (CEC) estimates there are about 120,000 gas nozzles in the state, compared to 178,000 public and shared private chargers.”
Just under 17,000 — about 9% — are the fastest type.
California is well ahead of the rest of the nation. A recent study found that, at current adoption rates, chargers could outnumber gas pumps nationwide in 2032.
Types of Chargers
EV chargers generally fall into two categories. Analysts don’t count plugging an EV into a standard wall outlet, known as Level 1 charging, when they consider infrastructure. Using a standard wall outlet can mean waiting more than 24 hours for a car to charge fully.
Related: EV Charging—Everything You Need to Know
Level 2 chargers, also called destination chargers, use a 240-volt circuit like an electric clothes dryer. They can refill most EV batteries in a matter of hours. Many EV owners install them in their own homes and recharge their vehicles at night.
Level 3 chargers, also called DC fast chargers, can fully charge some EVs in as little as 45 minutes, or up to 80% in less than half that time. They are found at highway rest stops and other places where drivers might need them on long trips.
Most EV owners do most of their charging at home and need access to Level 3 chargers only when they plan to travel further than their car’s range in a single day.
We Don’t Need as Many Public Chargers as Gas Pumps
The difference is the key to understanding the EV transition.
Drivers of gas-powered cars fill up on the way to their destination, stopping mid-trip. EV drivers generally fill up when they get there, so America will never need as many public EV chargers as gas stations.
A recent study found that, in a mature infrastructure able to support tens of millions of EVs, 96% of all chargers could be hidden away in private homes and businesses. Just 4% would need to be publicly accessible to serve all drivers effectively.