EV charging network ChargePoint has announced it is deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up the diagnosis and repair process for faulty chargers. ChargePoint describes the new AI-powered driver support tool as a first for the EV charging industry, and will help improve uptime and reliability issues across its network.
As we’ve noted many times before, one of the biggest obstacles to accelerating EV adoption is the availability of abundant and reliable charging infrastructure. Don’t get us wrong: EV chargers are more prevalent than ever. In the U.S. alone, their number has doubled under the Biden-Harris Administration.
It shows no signs of slowing down: Current charging networks like ChargePoints continue to expand, and multiple automakers are working together to build new EV charging networks across North America. The more the better.
But anyone who drives an EV and has tried public charging knows that just because a charger site is there doesn't mean it's operating at top speed, and often isn't operating at all.
ChargePoint, which only recently reached 1 million charging ports worldwide, is no stranger to infrastructure development, having spent the last few years expanding and implementing new technologies to mitigate problems. For example, the network introduced new “Omni Ports” earlier this month, which allow EV drivers to charge in any ChargePoint space, consolidating multiple charging plugs into a single port.
Today, ChargePoint announced it will use AI to enhance the reliability of its charging network by identifying issues more quickly.
ChargePoint aims to alleviate timely charger issues
This morning, ChargePoint announced plans to implement new AI-powered driver support tools to “rapidly accelerate in-field charging station diagnostics and repairs.” ChargePoint says that using AI to identify physical issues with chargers will improve uptime and make the charging network more reliable — something EV drivers have been clamoring for for years.
ChargePoint says its new AI-centric software is incredibly complex behind the scenes, but designed to be user-friendly on the surface because it needs help from EV drivers to identify problems.
EV drivers who encounter a non-functioning charging station can use the ChargePoint app's updated “Report a Problem” feature to report the issue and submit a photo. From there, the app will link the issue to the station's location and analyze the images for anomalies, with inputs utilized to train technology in the EV charging domain.
Once the software identifies an issue, details are sent to ChargePoint's Network Operations Center, where it is assessed and quickly remediated. ChargePoint says this new process for identifying and analyzing charger issues eliminates the need for most on-site inspections and significantly reduces charger downtime. “We're excited to be working with ChargePoint to bring our technology to life,” said Rick Wilmer, CEO of ChargePoint.
By deploying AI technology that can diagnose hardware issues, ChargePoint has given its Network Operations Center a critical new tool to ensure station uptime. The technology now allows them to triage and resolve physical issues that cannot be detected through remote monitoring, demonstrating their commitment to innovation that delivers a reliable charging network.
ChargePoint says that EV drivers who report an issue can track the status of their charger repairs in the app. Additionally, once a report is filed, it automatically generates an alert for the station's owner, streamlining the repair process, which often requires owner approval. For more information, visit the ChargePoint website.
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