AI Putting a Charge into EV Charging Stations
Discover the future of EV (electric vehicle) charging with AI-driven predictive analytics.
Elaina Farnsworth, SkillFusion’s CEO, discusses AI’s impact on EV charging, improving efficiency, optimizing energy, and reducing “charging anxiety.” She highlights how innovations in demand forecasting and AI-driven technician training are shaping the future of sustainable transportation.
The transportation industry has undergone a massive transformation in the past few years, fueled by technological advancements and society’s desire for a more sustainable future. The rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has been one of the crowning achievements of the green revolution, sparking thousands of drivers to adopt more sustainable vehicles.
However, pervasive EV charging station issues have hampered the expansion of EV use. Widespread challenges with EV station downtime and a lack of availability have thrown a wrench in plans for wider EV use.
The rise of advanced AI has occurred simultaneously with the emergence of improved EV technology, so it seems natural that the two would eventually intersect, bettering one another and helping solve pain points that have hampered advancement. AI has had a prominent role in shaping the landscape of electric mobility, aiding everything from vehicle design to training the new generation of technicians in the EV space and tackling the challenges faced by EV charging stations.
The Ev Charging Station Problem
The EV charging station infrastructure in the United States has encountered several issues that have slowed the overall adoption of EVs. Recent studies have shown that over 20% of available EV charging stations are inoperable at any given time, leading to what some experts have called “charging anxiety” among EV users.
The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program is working to fund large-scale deployments of EV charging infrastructure, seeking to meet a lofty goal of 97% operational uptime.
To meet this goal, EV proponents and those in the industry have looked to AI, which has played a crucial role in EV charging station deployment and the training of specialized maintenance technicians needed to keep the new and existing stations up and running.
How AI Supports Charging Station Infrastructure?
The magic of AI lies in its data-driven insights and predictive analytics. In the EV space, these capabilities enhance infrastructure planning, management, training of essential support workers, and overall efficiency.
AI plays a prominent role in demand prediction. AI algorithms can analyze historical data, such as traffic patterns and user data, to determine the need for EV infrastructure expansion. By understanding where EV charging stations are most needed, leaders in the space and government entities can come together to ensure charging stations are deployed in high-demand areas to mitigate the amount of “charging anxiety” drivers feel. AI also works for site selection by helping identify areas of widespread EV use and analyzing geospatial data that helps pinpoint areas where charging stations will be most beneficial.
AI also plays a role in charging grid integration. By optimizing charging schedules and managing the load distribution, AI helps mitigate the environmental impact of EV charging stations. Charging rates, schedules, and renewable energy availability can be adjusted in real-time through AI-informed data analysis, ensuring the most sustainable use of the technology.
AI has also greatly enhanced the user experience, as EV drivers can get personalized recommendations, charging station availability updates, and navigation assistance through AI-powered mobile apps and platforms. New EV drivers can even get training on how to get the most out of their EV driving experience through AI-driven apps and programs.
AI-Enhanced Training And Maintenance Support
AI-enhanced training is where the EV charging station infrastructure really gets a boost. To meet NEVI’s goal of maintaining 97% operational uptime, specialized EV charging station maintenance technicians will need widespread training on the specific needs of the EV charging station network. Currently, electricians or IT professionals have been relied upon to fill in the gaps in maintenance support. Still, without the specific training needed by maintenance technicians to properly support this new technology, NEVI’s uptime goal is unlikely to be met.
Specialized training programs have incorporated unique algorithms that align the specific skills of trained technicians to error codes related to operations and maintenance. In addition, AI can be utilized to identify regional talent to support maintaining charging stations within those specific regions.
With unique skill enhancement tools, AI can provide the most up-to-date training and tools so specialized technicians can do their jobs. With additional access to stackable credentials and certifications, talent trained in the unique needs of the charging station network can be ready to go wherever they are needed.
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Enabling Humans With AI Training, Not Replacing Them
AI-enabled analytics, training, and integration play a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the EV charging infrastructure. As AI has become an invaluable tool, talk of the technology “replacing humans” has caused concern among technicians and other professionals in the EV space. However, with a focus on forming a symbiotic relationship between AI and human ingenuity, professionals in the industry have little to fear.
For example, AI-driven predictive maintenance enables trained technicians to perform proactive upkeep on the current EV charging network, reducing downtime and service interruptions. This continuous monitoring by AI empowers human specialists to prioritize tasks and efficiently allocate resources. Since humans cannot be in all places at once or have eyes on all aspects of a charging network, they can rely on AI to be their eyes and ears when it is most needed.
AI-driven modules also facilitate the upskilling of human technicians, employing interactive simulations, VR environments, and personalized learning algorithms to deliver all-encompassing training experiences. Human workers who become proficient in AI-infused technologies will be more employable and more effective in the EV space.
AI-enabled training augments human capabilities in managing the needs of EV charging stations, driving the need for operational excellence and the delivery of superior, reliable service.
The use of AI in implementing EV charging infrastructure and training specialized technicians who keep charging stations up and running marks a transformative change in the transportation industry. As AI algorithms optimize operations, predict maintenance needs, and help train the next generation of EV specialists, they empower human beings as they boldly step into a more sustainable future. Through the collaborative efforts of AI technology that continues to evolve rapidly and human beings, a path is paved toward a greener tomorrow.
Image Source: Shutterstock
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