Is access to public charging slowing down the EV revolution?
It has never been more affordable or more desirable to own an electric vehicle (EV) in Europe. Battery prices are falling, driving range is increasing and we all now understand the detrimental impact of petrol and diesel cars on our planet. Then there are the fiscal deals that are enticing people to ‘go electric’. (see our series on subsidies and tax breaks in different countries). Not to mention low emission penalties in cities for non-EVs, coupled with ambitious government C02 targets. And, of course, exciting EV charging innovation, giving affordability and flexibility to the consumer. The EV revolution seems unstoppable.
Charging conundrum
And yet, there is a significant barrier that has the power to slow progress down: Europe’s EV public charging network, by in large, is still too meagre and unfairly distributed to be effective. To put this into context, on average just 10% of all EV charging is done at public charge points currently. About 30% happens at home, while the majority is at work. The technology is ready and waiting – with real-time charging for multiple users and chargers, even controlled from your smartphone. But Europe’s public charging infrastructure needs to go up a gear, to keep its ‘electrification’ gains going.
Technology & manufacturing
The role of innovators and manufacturers is also an important piece of the EV jigsaw. In order to create viable infrastructures, technology needs to be more affordable, easier to install and maintain – and, importantly, needs to charge EVs faster than they currently do. This may further incentivise governments to improve and widen public charging networks across Europe.
Unequal distribution
Let’s take a closer look now at what different European countries are doing to break this stalemate. According to recent research, four countries, (covering just 27% of the European Union’s total service area) account for 76% of all charging points in the EU. These countries are: the Netherlands, Germany, France and the UK. On the other hand, Bulgaria, Malta, Greece and Cyprus have less than 300 points between them. Spain, meanwhile, has just been given €35 million by the European Investment Bank (EIB) to roll out 8,500 public charging stations for electric and hybrid vehicles across the country in the next four years – with the aim of fuelling them with renewable energies.
“Our country has very important natural resources, such as the sun and wind, which drive renewable energies. The regulatory framework to help this become a reality was lacking, though this framework is now being developed.”
Arturo Pérez de Lucia, MD of AEDIVE speaking to Wallbox
Keeping up with demand
When it comes to public charging frameworks, Norway can be seen as a trailblazer. And that’s because its government has overcome cost and infrastructure challenges that are inherent to adopting new, disruptive technologies. It soon realised that if it was offering tax incentives to entice people to buy EVs, it needed enough public EV charging points to keep up with demand.
And across Europe, the demand is great. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) says at least 2.8 million electric charging points will be needed in the EU by 2030. This would be to cope with the 33 million EVs expected on our roads in a similar timeframe.
The former Secretary General of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), Erik Jonnaert, sums up the complexity involved:
“All 28 member states must urgently step up their efforts to ensure an EU-wide network of recharging and refuelling infrastructure. Without this, consumers will never be convinced to make the switch to electrically-chargeable cars on a large scale. We need to be able to show our customers that the infrastructure availability matches their expectations to be able to travel without anxiety.”
Erik Jonnaert, former Secretary General of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA)
Smart solutions
Luckily for customers, the private sector is working hard to conquer any anxiety. Companies like Electromaps are helping drivers plan their routes throughout Europe – thanks to apps that show where all the public charge points are. And until infrastructure truly catches up, smart systems for the home are rapidly developing in design and scope – giving electric drivers the reassurance of overnight charging.
Climate change targets
But to fully decarbonise the transport sector, we need to accelerate the shift to electric mobility. Emissions expectations are another part of the puzzle. Electric Vehicles are expected to be protagonists in EU plans to move towards a more sustainable transport system, and meet its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% by 2050.
In Erik Jonnaert’s words:
“Two things are very clear. Future CO2 reductions depend on greater sales of electric vehicles, and greater sales of electric vehicles depend on a dense network of charging infrastructure.”
The panacea
In the English language, this is called a ‘chicken and egg’ scenario: it’s impossible to decide which of the two things cause the other. Although when it comes to the EV revolution, a variety of factors are intrinsically linked and need to work together symbiotically: consumer demand, public charging infrastructure, technology innovation and climate change targets.
The European EV revolution is gathering pace, but until public EV charging infrastructure improves, the march may be more stop start than full speed ahead.
