Public Charging
When you do need to charge away from home, you should plug in and walk away. Today, you need several different apps, multiple accounts, and a tolerance for broken stations. The EU mandates Plug & Charge and 99% uptime reporting. The US doesn't yet.
The App Chaos
Non-Tesla public charging requires multiple apps, accounts, and payment methods. Some stations take credit cards. Some require an app. Some need an RFID card. It's the worst part of EV ownership.
The Fix: Plug & Charge
ISO 15118 Plug & Charge lets your car authenticate and pay automatically when you plug in. No apps, no cards, no accounts. The EU requires it on new fast chargers. The technology exists. The US just hasn't mandated it yet.
Reliability Is a Policy Problem
A broken charger is worse than no charger. Networks should be held to 99% uptime with real-time availability data. The EU already requires this. The US doesn't yet.
Necessary for the Self-Driving Future
Reliable public charging isn't just for road trips. It's a prerequisite for autonomous vehicles that refuel themselves. A robotaxi can't download four apps and troubleshoot a broken station. If the infrastructure isn't seamless enough for a machine, it's not seamless enough for a human either.