Electric Era’s Post

Generally, consumers would expect to have an available, functioning DCFC plug at the same rate as gas pumps when they are traveling. Gas pumps aren't 100% reliable either, but they're not commonly out of service unless there has been some natural disaster (e.g., derecho, blizzard, etc.) cutting power to a large area and then we'd understand for the most part. Of course, you may have to wait for an available gas pump at the warehouse store gas station during peak hours or choose to pay more at the gas station down the road which isn't always possible with DCFC.

Not the right question, IMHO - “governance” and “standards” for product reliability and quality in mass consumer markets are set by the preferences of millions of consumers in those markets—not by somebody’s arbitrary opinion or “fiat.” On the one hand, consumers want 99.99% reliability when they turn on their light switch or use their WiFi. On the other hand, if they charge their EV 90% of the time at home and only take it on road trips or vacations 4 times a year, which is more important, 10 fast chargers on their trip, each with 10 ports but only 7 ports available on average, or 5 fast chargers each with 9 ports but 8 on average? Hell if I know - but I know who will know: the EV consumers who choose the branded EV fast charger stations that are most conveniently available the 4 times a year they need fast chargers…

Considering the chargers already in the field we will never reach 99%. 

May a better mathematician check my calculation. Does 99.99% reliability equate to just 1 day a DC Fast Charger is not operating over 27 years, or 1 day out of 9,855 days (excluding calculation for an extra day for Leap Years). If confirmed, is this not an unreasonable expectation. What vehicle or appliance or laptop or cell phone lasts 27 years, for all intensive purposes 99.99% trouble free....

Important topic.