Robust Charging Infra Must Along Heavily Trafficked Routes

In recent times, the use of electric vehicles (EVs) has gained prominence, where sustainability has transformed from a luxury to a need. This is where, in a bid to combat the rising environmental concern, individuals have opted EVs as their preferred means of transportation. With the individuals adopting EVs, the industry is booming at a breakneck pace. As a result, the electric vehicle market is becoming a booming industry and is poised to grow at a CAGR of 18.2 per cent from 2021 to 2030, reaching $823.75 billion, according to Allied Market Research.

EVs are changing how we look at mobility by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment for future generations. The new generations will inherit a globe with a better and more sustainable future thanks to electric vehicles, which promise to leave them a cleaner, greener world with less air pollution and a healthier ecosystem. However, with the myriad of benefits of EVs, there are still significant challenges in the way of this sustainable transportation revolution.

EV Infrastructure: Challenges

EV infrastructure faces challenges related to both battery technology and charging point capacity. Different EVs with varying battery technologies affect the frequency of charging sessions required, impacting the need for public charging stations. The charging times depend on the type of charging points, with AC charging suitable for homes and workplaces, while fast Level 3 DC charging is better suited for highways. As EV mile ranges increase, there's a need for high-power fast-charging infrastructure in public spaces.

Another challenge is the high cost of upgrading the power grid to accommodate the growing demand for EV charging. Electrification of transport creates a significant power demand, necessitating substantial grid capacity upgrades. Investment in upgrading transmission and distribution systems is essential to meet these demands, ensuring a reliable and sustainable EV charging infrastructure.

Increasing the Interoperability of EV Charging Infrastructure

The open interchange of information between and among hardware and/or software systems is known as interoperability. The EV charging infrastructure can benefit greatly from it. Interoperability can be used as a strategy to ensure interaction between the vehicle, charging station hardware and connectivity software, network operator, energy management system, and power supply, which can result in benefits for safety, scalability, and cost-savings.

Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS)

In order to reduce their carbon footprint, businesses will progressively prioritise energy efficiency. They are looking at new business models, such as subscriptions, energy savings performance contracts, and power purchase agreements through EaaS providers, to develop and manage sustainable generation assets. These companies can invest in energy-efficient technologies at electric vehicle charging stations, such as LEDs and solar panels, for a monthly fee or a set price per unit of energy utilised.

Integrate Renewable Energy

The infrastructure for EV charging can be made more affordable and sustainable by incorporating renewable energy sources. With less reliance on fossil fuels, pollution is reduced, global warming decreases, and the likelihood of interruptions in electricity is lowered. The huge potential for renewable energy is made possible by India's plentiful sunshine, flowing rivers, and favourable wind patterns.

Range Anxiety

The feared "range anxiety" is a major issue for owners of electric vehicles (EVs). Long-distance travellers must have confidence that their EVs can complete the trip without leaving them stranded because of a low battery. Thus, to overcome this fear, establishing a vast network of easily accessible charging stations is essential. This is especially important because EVs typically offer a more constrained driving range than conventional gas-powered automobiles. Robust charging infrastructure along heavily trafficked routes can be very helpful to EV drivers. It gives consumers the peace of mind that they can conveniently recharge their cars, removing concerns about running out of battery power in the middle of a trip. According to McKinsey, Today's EVs can travel 150 to 300 miles on a single charge, more than enough for 95 per cent of car trips that are shorter than 30 miles.

Ease of Use

The infrastructure for charging electric vehicles serves as the central component of the ecosystem for promoting EV adoption. Within this structure, consumers prioritise convenience and usability. The industry today offers a wide variety of charging alternatives due to technology developments and government-sponsored subsidies. The environment for EV adoption is being shaped by these advancements, which guarantee that potential EV owners have convenient and effective charging alternatives, promoting the expansion and sustainability of electric mobility. 

Powering the EV Revolution to New Heights

With the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs), transportation innovation and sustainability have undergone a significant transition. In this shift, charging infrastructure is essential for assuring consumer comfort and accessibility. Thus, a strong infrastructure for charging EVs is essential for their widespread adoption. Sustainable mobility will be fueled by the widespread deployment of charging stations that successfully answer customer concerns about range, infrastructure accessibility, and EV appeal. Hence, by collaborating with local suppliers, global investors, as well as players in the automotive and energy industries, are anticipated to take advantage of the expanding demand for the EV charging infrastructure stack.

(Anshul Gupta, Managing Director, Okaya Electric Vehicles.)