ChargePoint Holdings, which operates the largest electric vehicle charging network in the United States, unveiled on Thursday an EV connector solution that ensures any EV can charge through it.
ChargePoint Omni Port, the new adaptable charging solution, combines the most common connector types into one charging port for both Tesla and non-Tesla drivers without the need for adapters, the company said.
Thus any EV can charge in any parking space, regardless of its connector type, revolutionizing EV charging, it added.
With the new solution, drivers will not need dedicated spaces or extra adapters, ChargePoint said, noting that Omni Port will be available at no extra cost with ChargePoint’s applicable chargers.
“Omni Port is the only publicly available solution to solve North America’s EV connector confusion across AC and DC charging,” the company said.
Rick Wilmer, CEO of ChargePoint, commented, “With Omni port, ChargePoint solved the challenges associated with a multiple connector environment, ensuring Tesla and non-Tesla drivers can continue to expect a world-class driver experience.”
The lack of a standardized plug for charging and the still underdeveloped network of EV charging points have been one of the key obstacles to wider adoption of electric vehicles.
In the U.S. utilization rates have jumped to make many EV fast-charging stations profitable. Despite that, the U.S. still needs a lot of additional EV charging infrastructure to alleviate consumer concerns about the range and convenience of fast public charging.
There are about 104 gas pumps per 1,000 road miles on average in the United States compared to just 22 EV charging ports for the same road distance, a study by smart fuel card management platform Coast showed last year.
“While EV adoption continues to surge, ensuring convenient and accessible charging options is crucial for further growth and widespread acceptance of electric vehicles. The transition to electric transportation requires a concerted effort to build a robust charging infrastructure,” the authors of the study wrote.