Owning an electric vehicle brings many benefits—lower fuel costs, reduced maintenance, and a quieter ride—but it also has its challenges.
From internal combustion engines (ICE) blocking charging stations to issues with charging apps, electric vehicle drivers often face obstacles that make the charging experience extremely frustrating.
Fortunately, we are working with our industry partners to address these issues. Here are some of the biggest challenges in charging electric vehicles and what is being done to address them.
1. ICEing
Parking an internal combustion engine (ICE) car at an electric vehicle charging station is a surefire way to cause conflict between drivers.
Worst case scenario:
When a large truck parks crosswise, taking up several loading spaces.
Despite the presence of guidelines and security cameras designed to prevent internal combustion cars from parking at charging spots, it's so common that there's even a term for it: ICEing .
2. Parking without charging
No one leaves their car at a gas station for hours while they shop at the mall. Unfortunately, many drivers mistake charging stations for regular parking spaces, leaving their vehicles even after charging is complete or, worse yet, parking without charging at all.
How is this problem solved?
Many public charging stations already impose fines for parking without actively charging and use various fees that increase after a certain period to encourage users to charge and vacate the space.
3. Pay for charging and parking separately
Public parking lots and charging stations often charge separately, even though the car must actively charge while at a charging station.
Parking fees typically vary depending on location and time of day, while EV charging fees are often fixed.
This difference in billing structure can be confusing, especially as more operators begin to use per-kilowatt-hour billing.
How does ELNexus solve this problem?
ELNexus simplifies the charging process through a cloud-based service that integrates EV charging into various applications, platforms or systems, including parking applications. This allows users to pay for parking and start charging in the same transaction.
4. EV Sales Growth Myths
You might think that electric vehicle sales are declining, following the media hype over the past year.
However, while the year-on-year growth rate has slowed in some parts of the world, the overall EV market continues to grow.
Example:
In Canada, for example, registrations of new zero-emission vehicles have grown from about 3% in 2019 to over 15% in 2024.
In British Columbia, this figure is even higher: in 2024, one in every four vehicles sold will be electric!
5. Reducing or eliminating EV incentives
Governments often remove financial incentives that make investment in electric vehicles , charging stations , or electrical infrastructure more affordable.
Example:
In early 2025, the Government of Canada announced the suspension of the rebate program for first-time buyers of personal EVs, indicating that all funds had been distributed two months ahead of schedule.
Incentives play a key role in the growth of electric vehicles and we call on governments to invest in a zero-carbon future.
