Electric vehicle infrastructure powering next generation sustainable vehicles

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Electric vehicle infrastructure: Powering the next generation of sustainable vehicles

Countries have to act fast to install enough charging ports to support a growing electric vehicle market.

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Quantumrun Foresight
March 13, 2023

As countries struggle to keep up with their carbon dioxide reduction targets for 2050, several governments are releasing their electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure master plans to accelerate their carbon reduction efforts. Many of these plans include pledges to end the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles between 2030 to 2045.

Electric vehicle infrastructure context

In the UK, 91 percent of greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation. However, the country plans to install about 300,000 public vehicle charging stations across the UK by 2030 with a budget of about $625 million USD. These charging points will be placed in residential areas, fleet hubs (for trucks), and dedicated overnight charging sites.

Meanwhile, the European Union (EU)'s "Fit for 55 Package," which was made public in July 2021, outlined its goal of cutting emissions by a minimum of 55 percent by 2030 compared to the levels from 1990. The EU aims to become the world's first carbon-neutral continent by 2050. Its master plan includes installing up to 6.8 million public charging points by 2030. The program also emphasizes necessary improvements to the electrical grid and the construction of renewable energy sources to provide EVs with clean power.

The US Department of Energy also released its EV infrastructure analysis, which required up to 1.2 million non-residential charging points to meet increasing demand. It is estimated that by 2030, the US will have roughly 600,000 Level 2 charging plugs (both public and workplace-based) and 25,000 fast-charging ones to support the needs of approximately 15 million plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). The existing public charging infrastructure accounts for only 13 percent of the projected charging plugs for 2030. However, cities such as San Jose, California (73 percent), San Francisco, California (43 percent), and Seattle, Washington (41 percent) have a higher proportion of charging plugs and are closer to meeting the needs of the projected demand.

Disruptive impact

Developed economies will likely increase investments in building EV infrastructure. Governments can offer financial incentives, such as subsidies or tax credits, to individuals and businesses to encourage the purchase of EVs and the installation of charging stations. Governments can also form partnerships with private companies to develop and operate charging networks, sharing the costs and benefits of building and maintaining the infrastructure.

However, implementing the infrastructure plans for EVs is facing a significant challenge: convincing the public to adopt EVs and making them a convenient option. To shift public opinion, some local governments are targeting an increase in the availability of charging points by integrating them into street lamps, parking spots, and residential areas. Local governments may also need to consider the impact of public charging point installations on pedestrian and cyclist safety. To maintain a balance, bike and bus lanes must be kept clear and accessible, as cycling and using public transportation can also contribute to reducing emissions.

In addition to increasing accessibility, these EV infrastructure plans must also consider streamlining payment processes and providing consumers with information about pricing when using these charging points. Fast-charging stations will also need to be installed along highways to support long-distance travel by trucks and buses. The EU estimates that around $350 billion USD will be required to implement adequate EV infrastructure by 2030. Meanwhile, the US government is evaluating options to support consumer preferences between plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

Implications for electric vehicle infrastructure

Wider implications for EV infrastructure expansions may include:

Automobile manufacturers focusing on EV production and slowly phasing out diesel models before 2030.

Automated highways, the Internet of Things (IoT), and fast-charging stations supporting not just EVs but autonomous cars and trucks.

Governments increasing their budget for EV infrastructure, including campaigns for sustainable transportation in urban areas.

Increased awareness and adoption of EVs leading to a shift in societal attitudes toward sustainable transportation and less dependence on fossil fuels.