Breakdown of Boulder, Colorado’s Accessibility and Efficiency with Level 2 EV Charging
As a Boulder, Colorado local, an electric vehicle owner, and a student with expertise in Data Analytics and Information Science, I am presented with this opportunity to portray a compelling narrative through statistics about Boulder’s electric vehicle charging. My goal is to present a clear and insightful picture that highlights the current state and potential future of EV charging in the Boulder community.
Its important to recognize that there are different levels of EV charging. To be specific, there are three levels. Level One involves charging that can be plugged into a standard U.S. household outlet, typically operating at 120V. This level is the most accessible but offers the slowest charging speed, usually suitable for overnight charging or for vehicles with smaller battery capacities. Level Two charging is more advanced, utilizing a 240V power supply, similar to what is used for large household appliances like dryers. This level offers significantly faster charging speeds, making it more practical for regular use. Level Two chargers are commonly found in public charging stations and are also a popular choice for home installation. Level Three, also known as DC Fast Charging, represents the highest level of EV charging. It uses direct current rather than alternating current and offers the fastest charging speeds available, typically capable of charging an EV to 80% in just 30 minutes. More information regarding Charging Levels can be found here. To ensure a more accurate and focused analysis specific to Boulder, the study will concentrate exclusively on Level 2 charging. This approach allows us to dive deeper into the nuances and impacts of this particular charging level within the context of Boulder’s EV Charging.
From 2018 to 2024, Level Two charging alone resulted in more than $490,000(calculated using national gas average) in gasoline savings. However, this impressive figure prompts a deeper question… Are EV owners truly maximizing their efficiency? This is where the data analysis comes into play, seeking to uncover ways Boulder residents can enhance their EV charging practices. By examining patterns of usage and availability of Level Two chargers, I aim to identify potential areas for improvement. Additionally, I later explore the correlation between charger accessibility and gasoline savings, to determine if increased charger availability could lead to even greater savings. Ultimately, the goal is to provide actionable insights that not only benefit individual EV owners but also contribute to Boulder’s broader sustainability efforts.
The initial focus of the study centered on analyzing the occupancy of charge stations, specifically distinguishing between instances when EVs are actively charging or idling at the station. Charging, as the term suggests, refers to the vehicle receiving an electrical current, while idling denotes a state where the car occupies a charging spot without receiving any current. It is crucial to recognize that idling has several negative impacts beyond just preventing other vehicles from accessing the charger. Idling contributes to inefficient use of charging infrastructure, leading to increased wait times and potential frustration among EV users. Furthermore this behavior can discourage the adoption of EV’s by creating a perception of insufficient charging resources. Additionally, idling may lead to increased energy costs and operational challenges for charging station management, as it creates a less effective monitoring and turnover of available charging spots. In addition it may cause other EV vehicles to rely on less efficient methods such as level 1 and level 3 charging. This is because level two charging is the most efficient method of charging. Addressing the issue of EV idling is therefore essential not only for optimizing the charging network’s capacity but also for promoting a more sustainable and user friendly EV ecosystem. But how bad is idling in Boulder, Colorado?
The visualization presents a comparative analysis of the top 25 most utilized Level Two charging stations in Boulder, Colorado. In a perfect situation, the orange bars, representing the total time the station is occupied without charging, should align with the blue bars, which depict the total time spent actively charging. In this dataset, a significant discrepancy is evident, indicating that several stations are frequently occupied by vehicles that aren’t charging. This means that the charging stations aren’t being used as well as they could be, where the opportunity for charging is often impeded by idle vehicles. The differences between occupied and charging times at certain locations, such as Boulder Facilities and Community Vitality, is visually concering, calling for targeted strategies to mitigate idling and enhance the availability of these stations for active charging. Addressing this misalignment is crucial for improving the efficiency of the EV charging network in Boulder and can lead to an increase in user satisfaction and a reduction in the time drivers spend waiting for access to charging points. Several ways to mitigate this issue is by either applying idling fees, reinforce through parking services, and other method that motivate the EV user to only occupy the station when charging.
Before an individual arrives to an EV charging station, there are a bunch of things that might already decide if there’s a spot for them to charge up or not. A lot of it has to do with people’s daily habits. For instance, someone might have a regular routine where they plug in their EV at a charging station near their work during their lunch break every day. Or maybe they charge it first thing when they get to their office job in the morning or right when they’re about to head home. These patterns can affect how likely you are to find an available charger at different times of the day. With that being said, it’s this article hopes aid EV owners into instilling a better routine in regards to EV charging.
The heat map above displays electric vehicle charging patterns across the day in Boulder indirectly suggests several strategic opportunities to balance the load on the EV infrastructure. By promoting early morning or late evening charging, charging could significantly spread the congestion observed during the peak from 9am to 5 pm. This a impact can even be made if charging occurs just 30 min earlier. Introducing incentives such as increased discounted rates for off peak hours could motivate EV owners to adjust their charging habits, ultimately lessening the demand during the busiest times. Workplaces, shopping centers, and public parks, are places where a significant portion of daytime charging seems to occur, could implement structured schedules or enforce time limits to ensure that a greater number of employees have access to the stations, rather than allowing a few vehicles to monopolize them for hours. An educational campaign could be advertised and aimed at highlighting the benefits of off peak charging, both in terms of cost savings and reduced wait times, might further encourage more EV users to charge smarter. Such initiatives could not only improve the efficiency of the existing charging stations but also enhance the overall experience for all EV owners.
Acknowledging the difference in the need to charge and the want to charge. Many EV owners, similarly to combustion car owners love the feeling of being on a full tank/charge. But making the decision whether you want or need a charge influences charge availability and efficiency amongst all EV owners.
At first glance, the nuances of this visualization may not be immediately apparent to the casual observer. However, upon closer examination, an individual can discern a distinct, dense line of deep blue at the base of the scatter plot. This line signifies a group of vehicles that have accrued negligible gasoline savings, suggesting that these cars initiated a charging session but then remained idle, potentially due to owners intentionally occupying the space longer than needed or simply being unaware of a improper connection. The concentration of these data points at the lower end of the savings spectrum could highlight an area of concern where charging infrastructure is being underutilized. Such patterns underline the need for greater education on proper charging practices and perhaps the implementation of policies to discourage idling.
Although there are numerous factors that can enhance the efficiency of EV charging networks, this research and analysis aims to display the issue of idling due to its significant impact. Idling not only restricts access to charging stations but also represents a missed opportunity for energy savings and operational optimization. Its important to mention that idling only affects this operation optimization when there is no available spots at that given station. With that being said, my analytical findings highlight the importance of addressing this behavior through a combination of user education and policy improvements. By ensuring that EV owners are informed about the importance of proper charging etiquette and the consequences of idling. The idea of implementing time-based fees/ increasing fees or penalties for overstaying, Boulder, Colorado can promote a more effective use of the charging infrastructure. Furthermore, introducing application monitoring systems that notify users of incomplete charging sessions could prevent accidental idling. Ultimately, reducing idling at charging stations will lead to a more efficient use of energy resources and promote accessibility to all. This will enhance the user experience and contribute to the overall success of sustainable transportation.
