EV Growth Pushes Inflection in Power Distribution
Driving Scalability with Ingress-Protected Track Busway
Electric vehicles are here to stay, with continued rapid growth in adoption. According to Kelley Blue Book Data, over 7% of cars sold in the U.S. in 2023 were EVs. That number represents a total of 1.2 million cars, a long way up from the 100,000 EVs sold in the U.S. in 2013. As of 2022, there were nearly 3 million electric and plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles registered in the United States.
While the surge in EVs is due to many factors, from improved battery and charging technology to government incentives and greater affordability, one in particular stands out — more widely available charging infrastructure.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, public EV charging stations have grown from fewer than 500 in 2009 to over 60,000 in 2024. In January, 2024, the U.S. federal government announced $623 million in grants to help build out an EV charging network across the U.S.
That said, expanding EV charging infrastructure, both for individual drivers as well as corporate fleets, is no easy feat. Typical challenges facing EV charging station providers include:
- High upfront costs to install charging stations
- Finding suitable locations with capable electrical infrastructure
- Grid capacity to feed power-hungry EV charging stations
- Existing power distribution infrastructure (i.e. trenching, pipe and wire) limiting power access and ability to expand
- Consumer-facing charging infrastructure (i.e. fixed pedestals) further restricting adaptability and scalability
In other words, scalable, versatile, and simplified power distribution solutions are critical to driving the proliferation of EV charging stations forward, for individuals and fleets.
Choosing the right power distribution solution is a crucial decision that will depend on the specific circumstances of each installation. Due to the increased demand, new scenarios are emerging for EV charging infrastructure. These include considerations such as whether the location is new or retrofitted, indoor or outdoor, and the availability of existing infrastructure. Each scenario presents its own set of challenges and opportunities, requiring tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of the application.
The Starline Series-S Track Busway was designed to be the most robust, versatile and flexible overhead power distribution system available. Its open channel design gives users the ability to add, remove, or modify power access points with minimal downtime. This adaptability makes it the ultimate solution to solving EV charging infrastructure needs, whether in new or existing facilities, indoors or outdoors or for whatever your power needs are.
Our latest white paper, Empowering Growth: Advancing EV Charging Infrastructure with Scalable Power Distribution Solutions, compares the common types of EV charging power infrastructure, and shares the advantages of ingress-protected track busway in addressing challenges related to installation cost, scalability, and flexibility. Download the paper for complete details.