The U.S. has seen explosive growth in electric vehicles and charging stations. EV numbers could jump from 2.4 million in 2021 to more than 26 million by 2030, and the number of public chargers has doubled since 2020. Yet many charging networks still sit far below their design capacity.
This isn’t just a policy or adoption problem—it’s an electrical infrastructure problem. As an electrical distributor, Dominion Electric Supply sees firsthand how design, equipment selection, and procurement decisions make or break EV charging projects. In this article, we’ll explore why utilization lags, the technical and economic barriers behind it, and what contractors and developers can do to future-proof installations.
Reliability Is the First Bottleneck
Public charging reliability remains the number-one reason networks go underused. A recent J.D. Power study found nearly 1 in 5 charging attempts fails due to downtime, payment errors, or connector issues.
Electrical design solutions:
- Specify UL-listed, field-swappable components that reduce downtime.
- Stock critical spare parts like cables and connectors to minimize outages.
- Use Dominion’s procurement programs for faster replacements and warranty support.
Standards & Interoperability Challenges
North America still uses three connector systems (CCS, CHAdeMO, Tesla’s NACS), and protocol mismatches between EVs and chargers cause frequent failures.
Electrical design solutions:
- Choose chargers that are ISO 15118 and OCPP-compliant for plug-and-charge readiness.
- Plan for NACS adoption by 2025 with adapters and compatible hardware.
- Dominion supplies load controllers, network gear, and panelboards designed for multi-standard compatibility.
Power & Demand Charges Limit ROI
High-capacity DC fast chargers (DCFCs) create sudden load spikes—up to 900 kW for a six-port site—which can result in thousands in monthly demand charges.
Electrical design solutions:
- Right-size the service and switchgear to balance peak demand.
- Integrate load management systems and energy storage (BESS) to flatten peaks.
- Dominion can supply the transformers, switchboards, and controllers required for efficient load balancing.
Site Layout & Safety Matter
Many “empty” chargers are simply poorly placed. In rural or suburban areas, long feeder runs, lack of lighting, or inadequate signage reduce utilization.
Electrical design solutions:
- Design with voltage drop in mind for long distances.
- Include bollards, area lighting, signage, and ADA-compliant layouts.
- Dominion offers complete takeoffs: conduit, wire, pull boxes, bollards, luminaires, and controls.
Economic Hurdles: L2 vs. DCFC
Level 2 chargers cost $2K–$10K installed, while DCFC can exceed $150K each plus grid upgrades. Many sites struggle to justify these costs when average utilization is under 15%.
Electrical design solutions:
- Deploy mixed charging strategies (L2 for daily use, DCFC for highway/fleet).
- Stage installations so infrastructure can expand without full upfront CapEx.
- Use Dominion’s sourcing power to manage long-lead items like transformers and switchgear.
Rural & Fleet Use Cases
Rural “charging deserts” remain a challenge, but fleets (delivery, transit, municipal) are driving localized demand. Both require robust distribution infrastructure that can handle heavy duty cycles.
Electrical design solutions:
- Design for higher duty cycles with oversized feeders, redundancy, and surge protection.
- Stock enclosures rated for outdoor/rural environments (NEMA 3R/4X).
- Dominion provides specialized gear for fleet depots and rural charging projects.
Procurement Playbook
The difference between an underutilized site and a successful one often comes down to supply chain readiness. Contractors can lose months waiting on panels, switchgear, or long-lead components.
Dominion Advantage:
- 48-hour plan takeoffs: Send us your single-line diagram or site plan.
- Stocking programs: Critical spares and consumables available on demand.
- Value-engineered substitutions: Alternatives when lead times threaten your schedule.
Conclusion
The EV charging crisis isn’t about drivers ignoring stations—it’s about stations not being built to work reliably, efficiently, and profitably. The solution lies in smarter design and procurement: right-sized power distribution, future-proof standards, robust site layouts, and supply chains that deliver.
At Dominion Electric Supply, we help contractors and developers take charging projects from plan to energized with confidence. Send us your project drawings today for a fast, accurate takeoff—and let’s build charging infrastructure that actually gets used.
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