Page 11 - European Energy Innovation - spring 2020 publication

Spring 2020 European Energy Innovation 11

ELECTRIC MOBILITY

by Eurelectric showed that 93% of by the European Alternative Fuels #Reality: let’s go beyond the myths
the EU population has the option Observatory. This deployment is The path towards a clean and
to charge their electric vehicle on a the result of numerous projects affordable electric mobility
100% renewable energy source basis. related to the European Union’s Trans is horizontal and depends on
Governments could further promote European Transport Network (TEN-T) multiple aspects, such as battery
these practices via the introduction – Fast E, Ultra E, Corridoor, Ionity, development, costs of technologies
of specific requirements in public E-Via Flex-E, Fastned, Gdzieladowac, and availability of vehicles.
tenders and green tariff plans on the to name a few.
basis of Guarantees of Origin. A Bloomberg New Energy Finance
#Myth… charging all EVs at the assessment has showed that battery
In addition, as more renewables will same time will cause black-outs prices have decreased by 87% over
enter the mix, smart charging will The networks will not collapse the last decade, and this trend will
transform the vehicle into a source of because of charging electric vehicles. surely continue thanks to research,
system flexibility. Take the word of the industry that innovation and businesses scaling up.
runs the electricity system. In 2019, Europe saw a bit more than
#Myth… there are no charging 350,000 battery electric vehicles sold
points for electric vehicles As the share of electric vehicles and existing emissions performance
It is time to understand the grows, peak electricity demand will standards will bring many more to
infrastructure needs across Europe. be a challenge. Luckily, it is possible the roads in 2020 and 2021. January
At the end of 2019, there were to significantly limit the additional 2020 sales already prove this.
more than 200,000 public chargers investments required in electricity
of different power on EU’s roads. distribution grids thanks to one With these significant uptakes in
Surely, three out of four chargers are straightforward solution: smart mind, time has come to make sure
located in the five biggest European charging. Cars are parked 95% of the charging a vehicle is as seamless
countries. But so are every three out time and primarily charged at home as possible for consumers at
of four cars. As the vehicle market or at work. the most affordable cost. The
matures, this reality must change so e-mobility revolution is happening
that no one is left behind. This gives system flexibility, as in the now and there is no reason for fear,
long term car batteries can be used uncertainty and doubt – it will be
Public support schemes for the to help stabilise the grid while their beneficial for industries and citizens
deployment of charging infrastructure owners are remunerated for this provided that the right policies are
already exist in 18 EU countries, service. That is clearly a win-win. put in place. l
and many of those are tailored for
users who do not have a garage
or a driveway parking spot. For
example, Ireland offers grants for
the installation of home charger
units. Finland offers subsidies for
developing charging infrastructure in
housing cooperatives.

The role of cities is vital in making
EV chargers available to everyone:
Stockholm has dedicated “charge
streets” where operators can easily
reserve and build charging points,
whereas cities in the Netherlands and
the UK have established demand-
driven systems, placing charging
infrastructure according to EV
drivers’ needs.

Europe’s main highways already
have 28 fast charging points per
every 100 km, providing security
and comfort to those driving long
distances, according to data collected

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