Los Angeles, California – In an eye-opening analysis by CBRE, the real estate services giant, a newly developed digital mapping tool has revealed significant gaps in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across Los Angeles, an area presumed to be more accommodating for EVs. This discovery is stirring concerns about the broader implications for EV adoption nationwide.
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The tool, designed to assist charging networks and property owners in pinpointing ideal locations for new chargers, highlights various L.A. neighborhoods as “charging deserts.” Particularly affected are areas such as Inglewood, Redondo Beach, Long Beach, Sherman Oaks/Studio City, Lomita, southwest Torrance, UCLA, and Cal State Fullerton. Residents in these areas might reconsider the practicality of owning an EV given the scarcity of public charging options.
CBRE’s digital tool functions by integrating data from up to 80 different sources, ranging from mobile phones and traffic patterns to EV ownership and housing types. This comprehensive approach allows the tool to assess not only the current charging infrastructure but also the habits of EV owners, such as whether they predominantly charge their vehicles at home or at work.
Jim Hurless, CBRE’s global real estate leader for EV infrastructure, explained that these charging deserts often arise from a combination of factors, including high proportions of rental properties where home charging is less feasible, inadequate local power infrastructure, and limited available parking.
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In a detailed case study of Los Angeles, CBRE analyzed the city in small segments to pinpoint specific areas lacking sufficient charging facilities to meet demand. Despite Los Angeles being the third-largest EV market in the U.S., behind only San Francisco and San Diego, the findings suggest significant room for improvement. For instance, in Inglewood alone, despite having over 1,000 registered EVs and daily traffic from an additional 6,000 EVs, there are no public charging stations. This is compounded by the fact that nearly 70% of Inglewood residents are renters, and the area suffers from a shortage of both parking and essential electrical infrastructure.
The implications of CBRE’s findings are significant, reflecting broader challenges in the U.S. Despite a record sale of over 1 million EVs last year, the percentage of electric light-vehicle sales dipped slightly in early 2024, suggesting that while interest remains high, infrastructural challenges could slow the transition to electric vehicles. Current U.S. facilities include about 186,000 public charging ports across nearly 70,000 locations, most of which are slower “Level 2” chargers.
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As America moves towards a greener future, the data from CBRE’s mapping tool serves as a crucial reminder of the infrastructural enhancements needed to support this shift. The tool not only identifies current gaps but also acts as a strategic guide for future developments, essential for supporting a growing wave of EV consumers expected later this decade.
