Bright prospects for the development of electric vehicle charging facilities

According to the International Energy Agency’s “Global Electric Vehicle Outlook for 2021”, the global electric vehicle power consumption in 2020 will exceed 80 TWh, and the electricity demand of electric vehicles will only account for about 1% of the current global final total electricity consumption. By 2030, the electricity demand of electric vehicles will account for at least 2% of the world’s final total electricity consumption. Although the increase in sales of electric vehicles is unlikely to lead to a significant increase in total electricity demand, a large number of charging facilities are required to power electric vehicles.

There are an estimated 9.5 million personal chargers in 2020

By 2020, there will be 10 million electric vehicles on the roads worldwide. It is estimated that by 2025, the annual sales of electric vehicles will be close to 14 million, with a penetration rate of 15%. According to data from the International Energy Agency, the number of personal chargers in 2020 is about 9.5 million, of which 70% are for household use and the rest are in the workplace. In contrast, the total inventory of slow public chargers for electric light vehicles in 2020 is 1.3 million units, and most chargers are classified as slow. As the number of electric vehicles increases, it is clear that more electric vehicle charging stations and charging facilities are needed.

More and more fast chargers will ensure that electric car drivers drive with peace of mind. The popularity of chargers makes long-distance travel possible, enabling consumers who cannot enjoy private or home charging to drive their electric cars at any time. Convenient charging facilities increase the attractiveness of electric vehicles, although it goes beyond the triple range of cruising range, cost and safety.

Product preferences related to charging facilities add another dimension to the diversity of consumers, who must meet these needs. The vast majority of consumers want the same convenience as refueling internal combustion engine vehicles. Consumers will immediately go to the nearest charging station when or before the low battery charging warning indicator appears on the dashboard. Some consumers are price-sensitive, or concerned about benefits related to customer loyalty, and often collect and redeem points, especially when retailers provide fee-based services. There are also consumers who care about their carbon footprint and value the “quality” of electric vehicle charging and additives.

Electric car consumers want the same convenience as refueling internal combustion engine cars

Although the growth rate of electric vehicles is different in different regions, the charging demand and availability of public electric vehicles are also different, which is affected by many market players other than the government and consumers. This value chain is intricate and complex. Utilities, oil and gas giants, auto companies, retailers, e-mobile service providers, electric vehicle charging station providers, charging point operators, charging application developers, etc. are all key stakeholders . They can recognize the market potential, adjust their core business to adapt to electric mobility, and make extensive investments in the electric vehicle market to find solutions that will help them compete in the electric vehicle charging ecosystem.

The role of the government is essential to accelerate the deployment of charging facilities

The government provides comprehensive support to market players through policies, regulations, and incentives, and has played a key role in accelerating the deployment of charging facilities. The government’s goal is to make charging facilities self-sustaining and competitive to meet the needs of different consumer groups.

While the construction of traditional charging facilities has provided power for millions of electric vehicles, various “deviant” innovations also herald the future of easy and fast charging. In the case of classic science fiction turned into reality, an Israeli company, ElectReon, is building a 0.6-mile (1 km) wireless electric car charging highway between Milan and Brescia, Italy, with the purpose of testing whether the technology can be widely used. Although Sweden recently opened its first electric highway to charge cars and trucks on a 1.2-mile (1.9-kilometer) line between Stockholm Arlanda Airport and the logistics station, the Italian trial is the first time that the highway has been involved.

We may still be a long way away from the large-scale construction of electric car charging highways and roads, but driving comfortably on the highway without bothering to find the next electric car charging point is the dream of every electric car driver , It is now possible.

(This article is compiled from information provided by the International Nickel Institute)