Alaska’s EV Owners Rush to Buy, Then Complain and Whine When Chargers Aren’t Everywhere

September 5, 2023

By Rick Whitbeck, Alaska State Director

Alaskans understand that extreme weather, including below-zero temperatures, feet of snowfall in a single storm and 100+ mile-per-hour windstorms can and will disrupt our lives.  We are adept at sheltering in place, planning for the next event and spending quality time by candlelight, in the event the power goes out.

For the vast majority of us, electric vehicles (EVs) will never be our transportation mode of choice.  We like big rigs, powerful trucks, the ability to travel off-road and explore our vast state without worrying about where to plug our vehicles in, or if the forementioned weather events might disrupt the charging cycle.

But, for those with eco-guilty consciouses who purchase EVs, they seem to purchase entitled attitudes along with the vehicles.  According to a recent Anchorage Daily News feature, not only are EV owners upset there isn’t enough public charging infrastructure for their precious cars, but they’re frustrated that the chargers that do exist are already obsolete technology.

Let’s be clear: those who choose to be EV owners – with their overinflated price tags and all – aren’t owed anything from the public when it comes to charging infrastructure, just like combustion engine vehicle owners aren’t owed gas stations on every corner.  The free market should decide the number, location, technology and price paid to charge EVs, not a vocal, micro-section of the state’s vehicle owners.

And no amount of whining or gnashing of teeth at public officials will change that.