10/9/2023
To increase electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure accessibility across Europe, in the summer of 2023, a new law was passed by the Council of the European Union that dictates that EV chargers must be positioned at least every 37 miles, or 60 km, along major traffic routes. The EU has equated this goal to installing 1 million public charging points by 2025 and 2030, increasing this number to 3 million. The move is part of a concerted push by the EU to meet climate targets, within which the transition to EVs and the progression away from traditional petrol or diesel-fueled cars are major.
One of the primary concerns that has plagued the EV industry since its conception has been "range anxiety". This term is used to refer to the notion of fear that an EV will run out of battery before it reaches its destination. This fear stems from traditional ideas about transportation and ignores the significant technological developments that have been made in the industry.
In recent years, the infrastructure and technology of EVs have undergone significant improvement, and 'range anxiety' is swiftly becoming an outdated idea. When EVs were introduced onto our roads over ten years ago, a full charge would likely last 100 miles. Now, however, most modern EVs can reach a range of between 200-300 miles on just a single charge, putting them further in line with traditionally fuelled vehicles. This notable enhancement, alongside advancements in charging technology, means that ultra-fast chargers, like our DC 180, can charge an EV to full capacity in a fraction of the time it once did; it shows how range anxiety is becoming increasingly a thing of the past.
Yet, as the EU recognizes with this new law's implementation, the infrastructure needed to support the full transition to EVs away from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles can go much further. There remains a clear disparity between the number of traditional fuelling stations available and EV charging stations. This is particularly an issue in rural areas. The lack of EV infrastructure becomes a more crucial issue when you consider that EV charging typically takes longer. Consequently, if there are fewer EV charging stations available but a growing demand for them with the rise of EV sales, the risk of queues and long waiting times increases. This problem and inconvenience can be incredibly off-putting for those contemplating changing to an EV. If we present EV charging as a viable, convenient, and easy form of transport, the infrastructure must be ready to deliver to the demands.
The new law will officially come into action in 2025 and includes stipulations on a range of factors incorporated within the EV infrastructure network across Europe. The primary guideline of the law suggests that on major roads that are part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), often referred to as Europe's main transport corridor, fast-charging stations must be installed every 37 miles. In EV charging, there are a number of levels of charging that are available. Currently, the most commonly found ranges from Level 1 to Level 3, which vary substantially in power output and, crucially, charging time. The new EU law stipulates that the new charging stations installed across Europe should first have a total output of at least 400kW and include at least one charger of 150kW. For the second stage of this roll-out, it is expected that by the end of December 2027, these charging stations will have a total power output of 600kW. This shows that this new law is not only prioritizing accessibility to EV charging but is also thinking about the long-term impacts of the transition to e-mobility. Ensuring fast or even ultra-fast chargers are readily available drastically improves the convenience of EVs and allows for a more efficient charging network.
Another important condition of the new legislation is creating a standardized network. With the improvement of charging network management systems, the job of EV charging operators has become much simpler. The new laws, to effect in 2025, will require all public charging systems to support payment by card or contactless device. This further enhances the standardization of the EV charging network across the continent and will ensure that EV users can use any charging station without needing subscription services or specific apps. Ultimately, this move makes EV charging simple and ensures 'pay at the pump' services across Europe, much closer to the traditional refueling methods many are used to.
This legislation is designed with the future of EV charging in mind, so some clauses address the latest advancements in the EV industry, such as hydrogen fuel. Setting a target of at least one hydrogen fuel station per 124 miles (or 200km) along the major TEN-T highways of Europe, the move comes as a step ahead of the curve. Similarly, the legislation also opens further e-mobility pathways regarding maritime modes of transportation, for example, including a clause that suggests by 2030, large maritime ports should provide shore-side access to electricity.
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