Insight 14: The Importance of Charging Infrastructure to the Electric Vehicle Revolution
Summary
The roll-out of charging infrastructure in the UK is critical to the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). The UK charging infrastructure network needs to be expanded quickly, not only to satisfy the rapid growth in EV ownership and driving but also to provide non-EV owners with the confidence to purchase an EV. Charging points need to be in the right place and of the right type, with more offering smart charging and vehicle-to-grid capability. The existing network will be technologically compatible with next generation batteries but needs to be future proofed with respect to charging behaviour.
Focus of the Insight
This Insight explores the key issues associated with developing a robust, reliable and extensive charging infrastructure network in the UK. The performance of EV batteries plays a significant role in determining infrastructure requirements. Larger batteries with more capacity and better battery performance, for example, will increase EV range and so require a less dense charging infrastructure network than would otherwise be the case. Likewise, batteries with increased charging speeds would make it far more convenient to charge EVs on long journeys, resulting in increased demand for public rapid chargers. The Faraday Institution’s research into improving battery performance, understanding battery degradation processes and developing next generation battery chemistries will therefore directly influence the characteristics of the UK charging infrastructure network required for the 2030s and beyond.
Conclusion
Developing a robust and resilient UK charging infrastructure will help to accelerate the transition to EVs. Improved perceptions and experience of using the charging network will reduce range anxiety. Currently, the charging infrastructure varies across the UK and the roll-out needs to be accelerated outside London and the South East, with intervention particularly needed in rural areas.
EV drivers have choices regarding where to charge and the type of equipment to use. These choices will determine the equipment split by type and the frequency of use will define the business case and the infrastructure landscape. The characteristics of the future charging infrastructure network (home, work, transit) will be determined by the charging preferences of the consumer (slow, fast or rapid). The performance of EV batteries will, however, influence these choices, as will a better understanding of the impact of rapid charging, smart charging and V2G applications on battery life. Using rapid charging, for example, has to be balanced against the impact on the battery, as continued rapid charging will decrease capacity and battery life.
Battery performance will also directly influence the characteristics of the charging network. EV batteries with longer ranges will reduce the demand for charging during transit, while improvements in battery chemistries that enable rapid charging without as much battery degradation will facilitate wider demand for rapid chargers.
Battery performance is likely to have less of an impact on the extent to which people charge at home, as this is driven by convenience, cost and access to a charger. Actions to improve the benefits of home charging include:
- Setting open data and software standards for home charging points.
- Making data on the EV battery SoC available to third parties, such as electricity service providers and data aggregators, to help manage the demand response of EVs.
V2G applications are at an early stage of technological deployment, but the impact V2G has upon battery degradation needs further research and monitoring as it will influence the viability of the V2G service, the ability of the grid to deliver electricity to the growing number of EVs, and stakeholder acceptance. Increased understanding of degradation and confidence around charging behaviour will not only incentivise the use of V2G applications but also the implementation of smart charging, which is also needed to maximise the uptake of EVs.
The capacity of batteries is increasing to cater for people who want to drive longer distances, whilst driving range is also increasing for a given battery capacity. However, current public charging infrastructure including rapid and fast chargers should also be fit-for-purpose for these longer-range batteries.