Electric vehicles are getting better in every way with features and functionality that easily match their traditional gasoline and diesel counterparts. There are no exhaust emissions to feel guilty about, but pollution from brake and tire wear is still an issue.
In general, though, electric vehicles are cleaner, greener, and less complicated thanks to fewer moving parts that can fail.
In many cases, performance is better due to the instantaneous delivery of torque, which comes with a vehicle that uses electric motors. And the specs on offer let you order an electric vehicle tailored to your needs, whether it's a compact, sedan, SUV or pickup truck.
It's good, no? Well, not quite. Electric vehicles need to be recharged, and right now this is perhaps the biggest problem with owning an electric vehicle. This is why Tesla jumped ahead of other automakers simply because it developed its own dedicated charging infrastructure early on.
Tesla owners have the distinct advantage of being able to use their fast and efficient supercharger network, which is just that: a quick and hassle-free way to charge. Tesla even used to offer free charging, but that has since been discontinued, except for some of its older vehicles.
super charge
Tesla's supercharger network has a large number of units, often in obvious and convenient locations. It is also growing, with more and more charging sockets popping up all the time and in many parts of the world.
The additional range of destination chargers, found in places of interest or places of leisure and vacations, including many hotels, further enhances the attractiveness of the Tesla charging network.
It's fine if you have a Tesla, but where does that leave everyone else? Anyone who has enjoyed the thrill of driving an electric car will find that the experience is usually tempered by the nagging thought of where you are going to charge it when the battery percentage indicator starts to drop to low numbers.
It's not a pleasant feeling and that range anxiety is almost tangible, especially if you're traveling and don't have the knowledge of the best chargers to use. That is if you can find one available, of course.
Helping Hand
Of course, there are apps like PlugShare, ChargeHub, ChargePoint and EVgo that can guide you to your preferred charging network outlet and also choose from fast Level 1, Level 2 and DC stations.
EV Hotels is an interesting alternative if you do not own a Tesla, you have an electric vehicle and you need to find accommodation while charging it.
Likewise, most electric vehicles also allow you to choose routes taking into account the load. Sat Nav can often be programmed to choose a route that will take you through the chargers of your choice.
However, the weakness of all this is that you are never sure what you will find once you get there. Tesla's charging infrastructure is much more consistent by comparison.
Sometimes chargers are hidden in poorly lit parking lots or in dark places. From time to time, you'll arrive with a sense of relief to discover that the charger doesn't exist at all. Or, it may be there, but it has broken down or been ICEd (when a non-electric car blocks a charging bay) by someone, either by accident or on purpose.
The whole thing can be agonizing and stressful. Tesla owners seem to have this easier.
Your charging options
So what about the competition? Fortunately, in addition to Tesla and its Supercharger network, automakers are doing everything they can to make it easy to charge your electric vehicle when you're on the go.
This is done using an RFID card or app, or in some cases simply by walking up and following the instructions on the charging unit in pay-as-you-go mode.
Whichever non-Tesla rival you have, this combination of options can often result in a handful of plastic fobs or cards and a lot of apps that need to be added to your phone if you're looking to use multiple networks.
saving money
However, while the process of refueling an EV from one of the rival automakers may be a bit more involved than Tesla's procedure, deals can be made on charging.
Several manufacturers offer free charging for a fixed period as part of the package if you buy a new electric vehicle.
While offers change all the time, writing an offer for the Audi E-Tron GT close to €100,000 is a good example of the value you add if you buy at the higher end of the market. Right now, you'll get three years of free charging through access to the Electrify America network.
Other manufacturers offer variations on the theme, depending on the model. Hyundai, for example, will give you two years of free charging using Electrify America outlets with the purchase of the Ioniq 5.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, given that it orchestrated the Electrify America network, VW is offering a tempting enticement of three years of free charging on its Ioniq rival, the ID.4.
VW also has big plans, with a goal of having more than 10,000 Chargers available in the United States by 2025.
simple solution
So simplifying the charging process like Tesla does certainly shows signs of improvement. Some rival automakers now offer electric vehicle owners the option of having a card to charge their electric vehicle, which can be used at more than one brand of charging socket.
Even better, one of the most exciting routes, not to mention practical routes future EV owners will be interested in, is Plug and Charge technology.
This allows the driver to drive up to an EV charging station, plug in the charging cable, and allow the vehicle to automatically communicate with the outlet so no card or app is needed.
It offers the kind of ease and convenience that Tesla does so well and Europe has implemented a similar system using the Ionity network. However, while this sounds like a great way to simplify the charging situation for EV owners, it won't be easy to make it happen in every state in a seamless, integrated way.
Cars like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Porsche Taycan might be ready to use this kind of charging, but getting all the backup systems up and running is a work in progress. This is not yet a universal solution.
Mixed bag
As for the competition from Tesla, it's a bit of a hodgepodge, but there is hope.
GM, for example, introduced its Ultium Charge 360 program in April 2021 with the express intention of making it easier for EV owners to charge their vehicles.
The program is a partnership between 7 networks including Blink Charging, ChargePoint, EV Connect, EVgo, FLO, Greenlots and SemaConnect. It's for both the US and Canada, with a GM-branded app that gives you access to nearly 60,000 charging points.
Meanwhile, Volvo, Kia and indeed any sane automaker with an EV strategy in the works are also trying to optimize charging on a centralized app or card, reducing the hassle factor for drivers.
Being able to access multiple networks without the need for endless apps, accounts, and passwords is definitely a step in the right direction.
Nonetheless, it's still easy to see why Tesla remains the leader in fast and easy charging. Things may be looking up, but there's no question that the rest of the auto industry continues to catch up.