In recent years, there has been a significant acceleration in Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption, driven largely by a global shift towards sustainability and the increasing urgency to reduce carbon emissions.
This surge in EV use is not only a testament to the growing environmental consciousness among consumers but also highlights the pivotal role of advancements in EV charger technology, both from an affordability and a reliability stand point.
For businesses operating EV charging stations, understanding these technological trends is crucial to staying competitive and meeting the evolving needs of drivers all across the world. Let’s take a look at some of the top trends currently, but first, challenges and limitations.
Current EV charging technology limitations
To understand the impact and need for EV charger technology, it’s important to first understand the current challenges faced by EV drivers.
1. Charging speed
While fast chargers exist, most EV owners rely on slower chargers, which can take several hours to fully charge a vehicle. This takes significant time for EV drivers to locate a vacant charger, and charge up which drastically compares to the efficient experience of driving into a petrol station and completing the refuelling and payment in just a few minutes. Also, high-speed charging can accelerate battery degradation, reducing the overall lifespan of the battery.
2. Infrastructure
As of April 2024, there were approximately 59,670 public EV charging devices installed across the UK. While this is a notable increase from previous years, the distribution of these charging points is uneven.
This isn’t so much of a problem in places like London, which has the highest density of charging points, with 221 per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 89 per 100,000. However, EV drivers in Northern Ireland, the North West, and Yorkshire and the Humber, and those doing long-distance travelling, are experiencing a much smaller density, with Northern Ireland having only 29 devices per 100,000 people.
Part of the problems around infrastructure revolves around grid capacity. The existing electrical grid infrastructure in many places is not designed to handle the increased load from widespread EV charging, leading to potential issues with power supply and distribution.
3. Cost
EV chargers are a valuable investment opportunity but with a high initial upfront cost. This often deters a widespread deployment. Because the price of electricity varies depending on location, this is also a factor in why certain areas have a disproportionate number of chargers to the amount of electric vehicles.
4. Standardisation
The lack of universal standards in EV charging technology presents a significant barrier to widespread adoption and seamless user experience. With multiple types of charging connectors and standards such as CCS, CHAdeMO, and Tesla’s Supercharger, compatibility issues arise, necessitating the use of adapters for different vehicles.
This fragmentation not only complicates the charging process for consumers but also poses challenges for infrastructure development, as charging stations must support various standards to cater to all EV models. Consequently, the absence of a unified charging protocol hampers the efficiency and convenience of EV charging networks, further complicating the transition to electric mobility.
5. Technological challenges
Current battery technology for EVs poses several challenges, including limitations in energy density, charging speed, and longevity. These issues impede the overall performance and user satisfaction associated with EVs.
While research and development efforts are ongoing, breakthroughs are essential to enhance these aspects meaningfully. Additionally, thermal management is a critical concern, as managing the heat generated during fast charging is vital for ensuring safety and efficiency. This requirement adds complexity to both charger and battery design, further complicating the development and deployment of advanced EV batteries.
The combination of these factors underscores the need for continued innovation and investment in battery technology to realise the full potential of electric mobility.
6. User experience
Different EV charging networks often employ diverse payment systems, creating a confusing and inconvenient experience for users. This fragmentation can be quite frustrating because it means having multiple memberships, apps, or payment methods to access various charging stations, complicating the charging process.
Another aspect that many people who drive an internal combustion engine face is a sense of unreliability about whether a charger space is free or blocked. This is known as "ICEing," where internal combustion engine vehicles block EV charging spots. This issue affects up to 20% of charging attempts in certain areas, and is one of the biggest negative impacts on user experience.
Emerging EV charger technology trends in 2024
In light of these challenges, there are a number of growing trends emerging as operators and asset owners seek advancements in the capabilities of EV charging, helping more people to view EVs as a reliable, feasible option for their next vehicle.
Expansion of fast-charging networks
The development and deployment of DC fast chargers is accelerating, offering quicker charging times and supporting the growing number of electric vehicles on the road. This includes partnerships between automotive manufacturers and established charging providers to expand infrastructure quickly, helping electric vehicles become more convenient for drivers who don’t have a charger at home.
Improved Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology
V2G technology is expected to see significant growth, allowing EV owners to supply excess energy back to the grid. This not only helps in balancing the power supply but also provides a potential income stream for vehicle owners.
Simpler payment solutions
New EU regulations are pushing for easier payment methods at charging stations, such as the integration of standard credit card payments. This aims to simplify the user experience and enhance cross-border charging capabilities within Europe.
Charging as a Service (CaaS)
Many businesses are adopting CaaS models, where specialised companies manage the entire EV charging process, reducing the operational burden on businesses that want to offer EV charging without direct investment in infrastructure.
eRoaming and interoperability
eRoaming capabilities are becoming essential, allowing EV drivers to use multiple charging networks seamlessly. This is particularly important in regions like Europe, where cross-border travel is common.
Solid-state and advanced batteries
Advancements in battery technology, such as solid-state batteries, promise higher energy density, faster charging times, and longer lifespans. These innovations are expected to become more mainstream in the coming years and will help EVs not be viewed as inconvenient in any way.
EV charger technology innovations
As advancements in battery technology and manufacturing processes continue, electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more affordable, making them accessible to a broader range of drivers.
The reduction in costs is because of the advanced battery technology and increased production efficiency. We will see them become more cost-competitive with conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.
Yet challenges remain, so innovations are needed in a handful of crucial areas to help raise EV charging, especially when it comes to dispelling the perception of EV charging being unreliable, time-consuming and cost prohibitive.
To that end, Fyma's intelligent analytics platform is changing how EV charging infrastructure is understood and managed.
Fyma’s technology effortlessly transforms existing video feeds, such as those found in CCTV infrastructure, into a powerful and cost-effective way to achieve real-time insight into how charge points are used...or not used in some cases.
Charger utilisation can be optimised by tracking patterns and identifying underserved points, or chargers prone to issues and incidents, recognising things like blocked bays and failed charges. This can help to enhance reliability and boost retail conversion, strategically positioning chargers to drive foot traffic to nearby businesses.
Another key area is in performance benchmarking across different locations and manufacturers, something that isn’t immediately possible with current EV analytics platforms. This helps to ensure continuous improvement and maximum ROI.
In 2024, amidst an ever-growing user base, there are only a handful of innovations and trends addressing the key challenges, ultimately supporting the wider adoption of electric vehicles. These trends are making EV charging more convenient, while at the same time changing the perception of EV chargers as being unreliable and time-consuming.
Platforms like Fyma are empowering charge point asset owners with real-time insight, helping them to optimise charger utilisation, ultimately paving the way for a more sustainable, reliable and efficient EV charger ecosystem.
If you’re interested in learning how we can help you tackle your EV charger infrastructure challenges, visit get.fyma.ai/ev-charger-analytics to explore use cases and learn more.
Kevin Cavilla
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