In 2019, the Maryland Public Service Commission approved a pilot program allowing five utility companies to own and operate public charging stations. By regulation, these utilities must maintain a 97% uptime for their charging stations. This means each charging port must be operational and supply electricity at least 97% of the time annually.
Methodology
In September and October 2024, I conducted a series of virtual “charger audits,” using the ChargeHub, Shell Recharge and ChargePoint apps to check the online status of every charging port in the utility networks. While on-site audits are ideal, weekly virtual audits provide a practical way to track the system’s performance remotely.
Data Charts
The following charts illustrate the data collected from these virtual charger audits.
Pepco manages an EV charging station at Acredale Community Park in College Park, Maryland, with four Level 2 chargers. As of October 10, 2024, all four have been offline for nearly six months. EV drivers have been unable to use this site—which opened two years ago—due to what Pepco describes in their semi-annual report to the Public Service Commission as “communication issues.” Filed on August 1, 2024, the report notes that the “location requires troubleshooting.” This prolonged outage, which appears to have an easy fix, has left EV drivers frustrated and ratepayers—who funded these stations—feeling deprived.
$91,954 Total site construction cost per the Maryland PSC PC44 EV Pilot Program
Category
Amount
Labor
$54,091
Materials
$24,349
Network
$5,830
Utility
$7,684
Total
$91,954
Revenue vs Electricity Cost
-$438.87 Deficit (Since Inception)
Metric
Amount
Energy Used
3,449 kWh
Revenue
$564.82
Electricity Cost
$1,003.69
Deficit
-$438.87
Note: This calculation only reflects the difference between electricity costs and revenue as of June 30, 2024. Other operating expenses, such as maintenance and repair costs, are not included.
Electricity Throughput Trend
Acredale Community Park EV charging monthly usage trend in kWh
Potomac Edison (PE) operates a network of 20 DC fast chargers and 77 Level 2 ports spread across 43 locations in its service area. As a regulated utility, PE is required to maintain 97% uptime for its charging stations.
October 3, 2024 Charger Audit Results
This virtual charger audit of PE’s EV Driven network found mostly favorable results. While all DC fast chargers were online and available, two Level 2 ports were essentially “offline” due to their absence from online directories.
Key Findings:
DC Fast Chargers: 100% availability.
Level 2 Ports: 97% availability (75/77 ports).
Myersville Town Hall: A previously listed dual-port Level 2 station has mysteriously disappeared from online directories.
Issues and Concerns:
Missing Level 2 Ports: The absence of two Level 2 ports from online directories makes it difficult for EV drivers to locate and use them.
Myersville Town Hall Station: The reason for the station’s removal from online directories remains unclear. Parking restrictions and potential conflicts may have played a role.
Recommendations:
Update Online Directories: Potomac Edison should ensure that all charging stations are accurately listed and updated in online directories.
Investigate Myersville Town Hall Station: PE should investigate the reasons for the station’s disappearance and work with local authorities to address any issues including onsite signage.
Improve Communication: PE should provide clear communication to EV drivers about charging station availability and any known issues.
Overall, while Potomac Edison has achieved a high availability rate for its DC fast chargers and Level 2 ports, the uncertainty surrounding the Myersville Town Hall station is an issue that could be addressed to improve the overall user experience.
Detailed Audit Results
On October 3, 2024, I conducted a virtual charger audit of PE’s “EV Driven” network, checking the status of all 97 charging ports using ChargeHub and ChargePoint apps. Notably, both DC fast chargers at the Rocky Gap Resort, previously reporting as “Out of Service” last week, are now online and available.
Myersville Town Hall Station
The dual-port Level 2 station installed at Myersville Town Hall in May 2022 has disappeared from both the ChargePoint app and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center.
A notable change at this location is the removal of the “no parking except while charging” sign, leaving a “parking for town business only” restriction in place. The town indicated that this decision followed several verbal altercations over parking access to the charging station. I don’t know whether these incidents are related to the station’s removal from the map, but it could be a factor.
Myersville, MD Town Hall – anti-ICEing signs removedRead More …
Charger Audit: Pepco EVsmart Network, October 02, 2024
In 2019, the Maryland Public Service Commission approved a pilot program allowing five of the state’s utility companies to own and operate public charging stations. Potomac Electric Power Company (Pepco) runs one of these networks under the “EVsmart” brand, with 19 DC fast chargers and 233 Level 2 ports spread across 86 locations in its service area. By regulation, Pepco, like other utilities, must maintain 97% uptime for its charging stations. This means that each charging port must operate as intended and supply electricity at least 97% of the time annually, measured in minutes.
On October 2, 2024, I conducted the third in a series of virtual “charger audits” of Pepco’s EVsmart network, checking the online status of all 252 charging ports using the ChargeHub and Shell Recharge apps. While on-site audits provide the most accurate data, conducting them weekly is not feasible. That’s why I’m documenting these online audits to track the status of every port in Maryland’s utility-run charging program remotely.
It’s important to mention that I’ve personally visited all of Pepco’s public charging locations, and I’m familiar with their setups. For some of the stations flagged as offline in this audit, I’ve visited them recently and can confirm that the app status accurately reflected their condition.
79% Availability on October 01, 2024
This audit showed that only 79% of Pepco’s charging ports were online and available or in use, falling well below the 97% uptime target. The chart above reflects a persistent gap, with availability declining from 81% to 79% over the last three weeks. According to uptime standards, any charger offline for more than 11 days a year doesn’t meet the 97% requirement, and many of these ports have already dipped below that threshold.
Olney Manor Rec. Park DCFC Offline
See the video below showing the offline charger at Olney Manor Rec Park Baseball Field (Station ID 43408), which I reported to Shell Recharge on September 28, 2024. The customer service representative said a ticket would be created, but as of today, five days later, the charger remains offline.
Uptime Claims Contradict Performance at Olney Manor Rec Park Baseball Field Charger
Thomas Farm Community Center 2nd DCFC estimated to be in service by 9/30/2024.
Pepco is adding a second fast charger to their existing electric vehicle charging site at Thomas Farm Community Center in Rockville, MD. Ordinarily, this would be welcome news for EV drivers, but the choice of an Efacec QC45 charger raises concerns. This model is widely considered outdated, slow, and prone to failure.
Originally opened in April 2020 as part of the Maryland Public Service Commission’s EV charging pilot program, the site is now getting a second charger. In August, the PSC ordered utilities to stop installing new public charging stations under the pilot but allowed sites already under development to be completed. This is one of five Pepco locations still under construction and exempt from the stop order.
Aging Efacec QC45 Model Fast Charger Raises Concerns
Pepco’s decision to install a charger model designed over a decade ago feels out of sync with the rapid evolution of EV charging technology. Newer models offer much faster charging speeds, providing greater convenience for drivers. So why is Pepco opting for outdated equipment when more advanced and reliable options are readily available?
The existing DC fast charger at the site, installed in April 2020, is also an Efacec QC45—a model that was already outdated at the time. In fact, similar QC50 units were deployed at Royal Farms locations across Maryland as far back as 2015. It’s puzzling why Pepco persists with older technology, especially as the industry advances toward higher-performance solutions at such a rapid pace.
Public Service Commission Concerns in 2022
Issues with the Efacec chargers were brought to light more than two years ago during a PSC review of the utilities’ semi-annual reports on the EV pilot program. At the time, BGE informed PSC Chair Jason Stanek that they had observed more problems with Efacec QC45 units than with other brands. In fact, BGE had canceled an order for these chargers about a year earlier, opting for a more reliable brand instead.
Chair: Is it fair to say that the Efacec chargers, I believe that these are Portuguese made, have a higher malfunction rate than other chargers?
Maryland EV drivers are facing a harsh reality: a substantial number of utility-owned public charging stations are frequently offline. In Pepco’s service area, many EVsmart-branded stations have been out of service for weeks, with some entire sites down for months. Of 252 charging ports across 84 Pepco locations, 50 were offline as of September 25, 2024—leaving only 80% operational, well below the 97% uptime target. This unreliable infrastructure threatens the state’s ambitious EV adoption goals.
Overall Port Availability on 09-25-2024: 80%
On September 25, 2024, I conducted a virtual “charger audit” of Pepco’s EVsmart network and found that eleven locations had no charging ports online at all. Many of the offline ports had not successfully charged a vehicle in over two weeks, indicating prolonged outages. The lack of redundancy at these sites further compounds the challenges faced by EV drivers, who are left with even fewer reliable charging options.
Charger Downtime Erodes Trust
This reliability shortfall is alarming as Maryland pushes toward ambitious electric vehicle adoption targets. With one in five charging ports offline, public confidence in the public EV charging infrastructure—a critical element for the widespread transition to EVs—risks being severely undermined.
One site, located at Acredale Community Park in College Park, has been down since June.
Maryland EV drivers are facing a troubling reality: a significant portion of utility-owned public charging stations are chronically offline. Many EVsmart-branded stations in Pepco’s service territory have been out of service for weeks, with entire sites down for months. Of the 248 charging ports across 81 Pepco charging locations, 46 are currently offline (as of September 18, 2024), meaning 81% are operational today. However, this falls short of being on track to achieve the 97% annual uptime goal. Such unreliable infrastructure poses a serious threat to the state’s EV adoption targets.
Maryland utility-owned EV charging stations are required to meet uptime standards under Public Utilities Article §7–904, effective October 1, 2023. These standards require 97% uptime, in alignment with the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) requirements.
Per the statute, electric utility companies operating public EV charging stations must maintain this uptime level for each charging station.
…an electric company operating an EV charging network shall maintain uptime standards for each EV charging station in accordance with:
(i) federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure standards and requirements; or
(ii) alternative uptime standards and requirements approved by the Commission.
Md. Code, Public Utilities Article §7–904
The law also mandates quarterly reports that track uptime for each charging station over the preceding 12 months. Yet, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) has not finalized the template for data submission. Without this granular data, EV drivers, ratepayers, and policymakers lack the necessary transparency to hold utilities accountable for the millions in ratepayer funds invested in Maryland’s public EV charging pilot program.
Online Charger Audit
In the absence of timely data from utilities, this online “charger audit” was launched to fill the gap and independently assess charger reliability. The audit involves querying individual charging ports within the Pepco public charging network using the ChargeHub app. Ports listed as “offline” are then cross-checked against the network’s native app, Shell Recharge.
This Potomac Edison EV charging station has two Level 2 ports and is centrally located on Main Street in Westernport, Maryland. Nestled along the Potomac River, Westernport is a charming town brimming with character. Whether you’re passing through or planning a visit, there’s more to this quaint town than meets the eye. Explore the town and enjoy its attractions while you use the Potomac Edison EV charging station to top up your electric vehicle battery to be ready for the next leg of your journey.
Things to Do:
1. Westernport Heritage Society: Dive deeper into the town’s history by visiting the Westernport Heritage Society. Explore exhibits and artifacts that tell the story of Westernport’s past and its role in the development of the region.
2. Churches: Westernport is home to several beautiful churches, each with its unique history and architecture. St. James Episcopal Church and St. Peter Roman Catholic Church are among the local places of worship that contribute to the town’s cultural and spiritual fabric.
3. Allegany County Library System – Westernport Branch: If you’re in the mood for some quiet reading or research, pay a visit to the Westernport Library. This community hub offers a collection of books, digital resources, and a welcoming space to catch up on your reading or work.
Places to Eat:
1. Port West: Craving some classic American comfort food? Go to Port West located next to the charging station. This local favorite serves up burgers, sandwiches, and daily specials in a friendly, small town atmosphere.
2. Fox’s Pizza Den: If you’re in the mood for a slice of pizza or some Italian delights, Fox’s Pizza Den is right across the street. Their menu features a variety of pizzas, salads, and sandwiches, perfect for a quick meal.
Westernport, MD may be a small town but it offers a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and dining options that make it a worthwhile stop for EV travelers.
Pepco Andrew Hanko Building EV Charging – New Carrollton, MD
The Andrew Hanko Building EV charging station that is owned and operated by Pepco is located in the parking lot of Beckett Field in New Carrollton, Maryland. The address is 8511 Legation Road and the cross street is Westbrook Dr. The Andrew Hanko Building is a Community Center in New Carrollton which is adjacent to Beckett Field which has sports facilities for baseball, soccer and tennis. The EV charging station has two dual-port Level 2 EVSEs. They are located in the parking spots closest to Westbrook Rd. You enter the lot from Legation Rd. and turn right just before the Community Center building on the right. a portable restroom may be available available in the park. There are several restaurants including Tacos Ricos and IHOP within a half mile at 85th Ave and Annapolis Rd/Rt. 450. There are no other amenities of note near this charging site.
02/25/2020 – Opened 8511 Legation Rd, New Carrollton, MD map
Level 2 – 7 kW dual-port (Qty: 2)
Reported Uptime (2022 Jul to Dec): 99.6% L2 (EVSE ID 52346A Port 1) 99.6% L2 (EVSE ID 52346A Port 2) 99.6% L2 (EVSE ID 52348A Port 1) 99.6% L2 (EVSE ID 52348A Port 2)
$83,779.00 Construction Costs $1,296.00 Yearly Networking Fees
Period
Revenue
Electric Bill
Profit/Loss
2022 Q3-4
$1,121.71
$1,369.33
-$247.62
2022 Q1-2
$409.22
$449.21
-$39.99
2021 Q3-4
$202.89
$287.94
-$85.05
Period
Avg kWh/day
= Miles
Gas equiv
2022 Q3-4
37.2 kWh
112 mi
4.5 gal
2022 Q1-2
12.6 kWh
38 mi
1.5 gal
2021 Q3-4
6.1 kWh
18 mi
0.7 gal
*Miles equivalent based on 333 Wh/mi, gasoline gallon equivalent based on 25 MPG.
Data source: Potomac Electric Power Company and Delmarva Power & Light Company Semi-Annual EV Pilot Program Progress Report for the period of July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. Maryland PSC ML 301131.
Pepco Thomas Farm Community Center EV Charging – Rockville, MD
This Pepco EV charging station has one 50 kW Efacec QC45 DC fast charger and one dual-port Level 2 EVSE. It is located in the parking lot of the Thomas Farm Community Center in Rockville, MD. The Community Center is located in Fallsgrove Stream Valley Park which has walking trails, tennis courts, picnic tables and a playground. Restrooms are available in the Community Center when it is open. Food is a half mile away at Fallsgrove Village Center. Panera, Chipotle, Bethesda Bagels, Jersey Mike’s and Starbucks are among the options.
04/10/2020 – Opened 700 Fallsgrove Dr, Rockville, MD map
Reported Uptime (2022 Jul to Dec): 87.8% DC1 DCFC (EVSE ID 43337 Port 1) 90.4% DC1 DCFC (EVSE ID 43337 Port 2) 99.3% L2 (EVSE ID 52167A Port 1) 99.3% L2 (EVSE ID 52167A Port 2)
$397,053.00 Construction Costs $1,274.40 Yearly Networking Fees
Date Range
kWh/day
Revenue
Electric Bill
Profit/Loss
2022 Jul to Dec
72.7
$3,807.90
$5,075.87
-$1,267.97
2022 Jan to Jun
71.3
$4,126.06
$3,973.56
$152.50
2021 Jul to Dec
61.5
$3,499.06
$3,467.17
$28.57
Source: Potomac Electric Power Company and Delmarva Power & Light Company Semi-Annual EV Pilot Program Progress Report for the period of July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. Maryland PSC ML 301131
