The European Union requires an increase in the installation of charging points by eightfold annually until 2030 to achieve its CO2 reduction targets, as reported by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).
In this context, the concerns of electric vehicle (EV) drivers have shifted from anxiety about range to the availability of sockets at stations.
“Reliability and maintenance are becoming increasingly important to ensure that EV drivers reach their destinations,” highlights Jeroen Jonker, Business Consultant for e-Mobility & Energy, at the International Mobility Portal Summit.
And he adds: “Especially considering that a location which appears to be correctly displayed on the map may, upon arrival, be completely occupied, sometimes due to certain devices being non-operational.”
This results in an increase in queues at “refuelling” points as the number of EVs rises.
In this regard, it is essential that there is an available charger that functions correctly, where the authentication process is simple and seamless, and the driver receives the promised power to resume their journey quickly.
“Lines are something to be avoided, as it is likely that people will steer clear of adopting EVs if this situation arises,” he cautions.
How is the installation of chargers progressing in Europe?
According to the expert, this has been a dynamic process, with countries such as Norway leading the transition towards eMobility.
Recently, this Nordic nation has achieved that 90 per cent of vehicle sales are fully electric.
“There is no one who complains excessively about the charging infrastructure in this country with such high penetration,” he asserts.
This Norwegian success serves as a model for other states.
The Benelux countries and Germany have witnessed considerable growth in the number of “refuelling” points, although Jonker notes that the network of stations still needs to expand to meet demand.
France, which was once regarded as a “charging desert” due to a scarcity of points, has now outpaced many of its neighbours.
This, according to the consultant, is thanks to companies such as Electra, Fastned, Ionity, and TotalEnergies, which have contributed to the advancement of the infrastructure.
“It is truly encouraging to see how France has caught up with the rest of Europe,” he states.
In this regard, he also highlights the progress made in the United Kingdom, as opposed to southern Europe, where “greater acceleration is necessary.”
“Subsidies are needed to boost charging infrastructure”
Incentives are a valuable tool to encourage the purchase of EVs, but Jonker emphasises that the future lies in investment in the other aspect of the sector.
“It is crucial to focus financing on charging infrastructure, as it is necessary to generate revenue and obtain capital for its implementation,” he stresses.
This is especially the case now, with an increasing number of suppliers in the market and variability in pricing.
“Governments can likely do more to support Charge Point Operators (CPOs) in this regard, as capital investments often precede the actual revenues they generate,” he maintains.
This would accelerate the transition to a more robust and accessible “refuelling” network.
Moreover, the user experience is crucial in this “maturity phase” of electric vehicle adoption.
“We now need to attract the general public, where charging is as easy as using a vending machine,” he proposes.
That is the next challenge, according to Jeroen Jonker: making the customer journey “super easy”, with the availability of sockets as a priority.
In ten years, by 2035, the mandatory prohibition on the sale of fossil fuels will come into force in Europe.
By that moment, a total of 120 million new EVs is expected to be sold.
“Therefore, the growth of EVs will rise from 1.5 million sold in 2023 to 120 million new sales in 2035,” he affirms.And he adds: “To achieve this, a massive number of functioning and efficient chargers will be needed”.
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