Do We Really Need To Overhaul the Electrical Infrastructure?

Nissan Leaf Charge Port

For several years now we have heard pundits proclaim that in order for electric vehicles to succeed that we would need to beef up the electrical grid AND build tens of thousands of charging stations throughout the US. Really? Electrical outlets are ubiquitous and electrical vehicles are virtually non-existent. Let's get a few hundred thousand EV's on the road and then look at the need for charging stations.

From AllCarsElectric:

As all-electric vehicles become common, does a country’s infrastructure really need to be changed to accommodate them? As most people drive 50 miles or less per day my feeling is that the infrastructure changes being talked about and promoted are a red herring. This red herring effect slows down the progress toward the U.S. becoming energy independent.

Everyone who drives a gasoline vehicle has probably experienced running low on gas, (range anxiety in an all-electric vehicle) and wondering whether or not they could make it to a gas station. It will take planning to not exceed the listed range. If you drive over 50 miles from home than the vehicle may have to be charged at the destination for the return trip, which should not be a problem as all that is required is a household electrical outlet--charge time may be longer than with the charger provided with the vehicle.

My driving experience in an all-electric vehicle provided real world experience and has led me to conclude the infrastructure changes are not a hard and fast requirement until the vehicles themselves are as common as gas power vehicles. There were many days when my all-electric vehicle, with a 30-40 mile range, was quick charged three or more times during the day, which allowed me to drive over 125 miles in one day.

We need to stop the myths and other false information on electric vehicles and start manufacturing them. My opinion is that the infrastructure needs are not important and more myth than actual fact.