Fuel retailers will have a vital role supporting Europe’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs), both plugging gaps in the charging network and providing additional capacity to the grid, according to Neill Emmett, Marketing Director at Gilbarco Veeder-Root’s EV charging business Konect.
Although Europe is expected to be one of the world’s fastest-growing electric vehicle markets, Konect analysis shows charger installations are lagging behind predicted demand.
European Union member states require a 550% uplift on today’s 630,000 chargers to meet the Commission’s 2030 EV sales targets, while the UK needs a 350% increase (from 70,000 units) by the same date.
The European Union’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) is aiming to deploy rapid chargers at 60 kilometres intervals alongside its busiest routes, and the UK Government targeting at least six of the same units in service areas nationwide.
In this regards, Emmett believes fuel retailers are ideally placed to bridge those gaps, having both the locations the regulations are seeking and amenities drivers want while charging.
Konect is providing a turnkey ecosystem to support them with that process and some of its inherent challenges, while exploring new opportunities too.
“Our comprehensive approach includes not only equipment installation but also assistance in securing financing and overcoming local grid limitations while the energy system adapts to offer more flexibility,” says Emmett.
“Requesting more energy from the grid can take up to two years, and even then, it may not be enough to support the required charging speeds. The Konect EV charging ecosystem includes stationary battery and energy management components, designed to address these limitations,” he adds.
Load management aside, on-site battery storage enables fuel retailers to become energy suppliers in their own right, selling electricity back to the grid to flatten demand spikes and earning additional revenue, including carbon credits if they have a renewable generation (such as solar panels), he adds.
Deployment bottlenecks vary across the region.
Konect has a specialist team to manage documentation and ensure businesses make use of available financial support and meet local regulatory demands.
The company is also working closely with local governments and the European Union to address shortages in incentives and funding.
Maintaining high-power chargers is a complex task
Quality of service is becoming as important as the quantity chargers as regulations evolve, Emmett continues.
Konect employs a team dedicated to resolving both software and hardware issues as quickly as possible, ensuring the highest levels of service and maintenance.
“United Kingdom regulations will require every public charging point to have at least 99% uptime,” adds Emmett.
“Our research found 71% of charging point operators (CPOs) are struggling to record downtime, while over 57% said support from service partners was the biggest roadblock to improving reliability. We’re striving to offer the support those customers need.”
Challenges include environmental factors such as temperature and exposure to salty air, which can affect the durability and performance of high-power chargers, while accidental damage and vandalism can also impact uptime.
Konect is supported by GVR’s vast field team of technicians, but the goal is to avoid having callouts in the first place.
“Our chargers can fix approximately 80% of issues in software,” Emmett states.
He continues: “We’re aiming to solve problems before they even become apparent to users, and meet the strictest SLAs if units need physical repairs. The expertise and coverage of Gilbarco Veeder-Root’s field team helps us to deliver that.”
From oil to light: the transition of fuel companies
The shift towards electromobility has been significant and has become an unavoidable reality.
“This change is not going away,” says Emmett, highlighting the importance of adapting to the new landscape.
From the start, Konect works with fuel retailers, recognizing that these operators already have the sites, convenience retail, and the necessary connections.
However, the challenge lies in making them understand that the increasing number of electric vehicles on the roads demands adaptation.
EV drivers will eventually need a place to stop, and it is preferable for them to do so at their service stations rather than in remote locations without basic services.
With new regulations requiring the installation of charging infrastructure at stations selling more than five or ten million litres, as is the case with Nova Stress in Spain, the push for retailers to adopt this technology is growing.
Meanwhile, a report by Boston Consulting Group estimates that up to 80% of fuel retail sites could be at risk by 2035 if they do not adapt to this new reality.
“Retailers are aware of the importance of this change,” says Emmett.
Additionally, the interest of delivery companies and supermarket chains in electric fleets is increasing, although challenges such as financing, energy availability, and infrastructure persist.
Despite the continued presence of diesel and petrol in the market, more and more people are opting for electric and sustainable solutions, preparing for a greener future.
