EV charging infrastructure the key

In spite of EVs’ roaring success, adequate charging infrastructure is lagging behind.

So says IDTechEx in noting many EV owners charge their cars at home using a wall-mounted charger but those who live in apartments or do not have a driveway may have difficulty accessing adequate EV charging.

“Parking garages are rarely equipped with charging infrastructure, and installing such infrastructure may be cost-prohibitive for building managers,” it says in the latest report Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles and Fleets 2022-2032.

An expanded charging infrastructure is needed for EVs to make long-distance trips that require multiple stops for charging, so building a robust public “fuelling” network of charging stations is the key to a successful EV market, IDTechEx says.

At home, followed by the workplace, remains the most favourable location for EV charging. This means that the market for public charging stations is in DC fast charging targeted at on-the-go, cross-country (long-range) driving, and in emergencies, it adds.

Do public charging stations help drive EV adoption, or does greater EV adoption demand a more comprehensive public charging infrastructure?

Some charging providers are competing for space at libraries, museums, parks, retailers, municipal parking garages, and anywhere else that is willing to install a station.

Stakeholders need to abandon the current model of using public funds and grants to install stations, IDTechEx suggests.

“Historically, such large projects have tended to be unprofitable due to high upfront costs; electric car use will need to become more widespread before they can turn a profit.

“The ideal end state is a sustainable, market-driven industry. It will never reach that status unless it unlocks a real value proposition as uncovered in the new report.”

Managing the potential incremental energy demand that EV charging could put on the grid is crucial, IDTechEx believes.

“Expert assessments vary on how much electricity demand will increase with widespread EV use. “The US Department of Energy predicts a 38% increase in electricity consumption by 2050, mostly due to a high penetration of EVs.

“Smart charging technology and off-grid charging solutions, that are covered in the IDTechEx report, will become more favourable where grids do not have the available excess capacity to generate increased amounts of power with existing infrastructure.”

 IDTechEx expects total charging installations to increase by 11 times from 2021 to 2032.

It believes the EV industry will continue with its “staggering momentum”.

“Over the coming decade, demand for charging infrastructure will be driven by over 175 million plug-in EVs in use globally including passenger cars, buses, trucks, and vans.

“The benefits of the electric vehicle transition are at least an order of magnitude greater than charging infrastructure costs, making charging infrastructure a modest down payment to decarbonise the transport sector.”

The IDTechEx report provides a comprehensive overview of various charging technologies and standards globally, including fast charging, inductive and capacitive charging, mobile charging, robotic and autonomous charging, battery swapping as well as dedicated charging for fleet EVs.