Charging Stations for All Those New Electric Vehicles: Sorry, more subsidies for the rich who can afford electric vehicles aren’t the answer

Letter to the editor of The WSJ.

"“Keywords: The Electric-Car Revolution Needs More Plugs” (Exchange, Feb. 27) discusses more government subsidies to build charging stations. Sorry, more subsidies for the rich who can afford electric vehicles aren’t the answer. Don’t forget that about 80% of charging is done at home and is adequate for local driving. Recent data shows EVs are driven only about 5,800 miles a year. EV owners usually have another vehicle. Gas-station convenience stores, shopping malls and companies are adding charging stations even when they aren’t profitable to attract high-income shoppers. That is why the Delaware Public Service Commission and commissions in other states have declared charging a competitive market with the support of two different major charger suppliers.

David T. Stevenson

Caesar Rodney Institute

Lewes, Del."