Hilton Head Island Faces EV Charging Infrastructure Challenge

Hilton Head Island Receives More EV Drivers, However, Charging Infrastructure Still Need More Investment

The growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) has become evident on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, with an influx of both EV-driving residents and tourists. However, the island now faces the challenge of providing accessible charging infrastructure for the increasing numbers of EVs, especially for those not carrying the Tesla brand.

The Current State of EV Charging Infrastructure on Hilton Head Island

A sharp increase in the number of EVs registered in South Carolina has been observed by the U.S. Department of Energy. The number soared to just over 19,000 from 13,500 in a two year period, indicating a 40% escalation. This prompts nationwide concerns about whether the U.S. can develop an EV charging infrastructure that is compatible with this rapid growth. According to data from the U.S. Alternative Fuels Data Center, the number of public and private charging facilities across South Carolina totals just over 600.

When it comes to the island specifically, there are 35 EV charging stations based on the data from PlugShare. Unfortunately, only ten of those stations are open to the public and can serve EVs other than Teslas. Worse still, only five of them are entirely free of charge. Those ten available outlets are listed below along with their charging port numbers:

1. Benny’s Coastal Kitchen (75 Shrimpers Row) – Two J-1772 plugs.
2. Hilton Head Recreation Center (18 Wilborn Road) – One J-1772 plug.
3. Starbucks (18 Pope Avenue) – One J-1772 plug.
4. Petsmart (430 William Hilton Pkwy) – Two J-1772 plugs.
5. Starbucks (416 William Hilton Pkwy) – One J-1772 plug.
6. Starbucks (24 Shelter Cove Lane) – One J-1772 plug.
7. Celebration Park, in front of the Sandbox Children’s Museum (80 Nassau Street) – One J-1772 plug.
8. Adventure Hilton Head, in the back parking lot (18 Simmons Road) – One J-1772 plug.
9. Palmetto Electric Cooperative (111 Mathews Drive) – One J-1772 plug.
10. Shelter Cove (1 Harbourside Lane) – One J-1772 plug.

The Challenges Faced by Non-Tesla EV Owners

Indeed, if you drive a Tesla to Hilton Head Island, there is ample provision for charging. At Harris Teeter on Office Park Road, behind Parker’s Kitchen, and at Rock Fish Seafoods & Steaks, 8 Tesla Superchargers are available at each location. For non-Tesla EV drivers, however, the reality is far from the same. A local EV driver and employee at the Hilton Head Island Recreation Center described the current situation as frustrating, with few publicly accessible charging stations and most requiring payment.

As it stands, non-Tesla EV owners often have to rely on plugin hybrid vehicles, which can resort to using an internal combustion engine when the battery is nearly depleted. For electric-only EV owners, however, the situation is less forgiving, often requiring these drivers to make pit stops at local dealerships for charging before making it onto the island.

The Next Steps for EV Charging

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is eligible to receive $70 million from a federal program that aims to establish a nationwide network of 500,000 EV fast chargers. According to the SC + EV initiative, it aims to prepare the state for a future of electrified mobility by ensuring a reliable and accessible statewide EV charging network. Despite these promising steps towards better EV infrastructure in South Carolina, the only fast charging station on Hilton Head Island was confirmed to be out of service for an extended period, further adding to the challenges faced by non-Tesla EV drivers.