The modern world is moving towards a greener future. You can also notice the same trend in the automobile sector. There will be a transition from petrol-driven vehicles to electric cars. Government, automobile manufacturers, and different stakeholders should work together to adopt electric vehicles across the country. The availability of more EV charging stations will lead to the development of a carbon-free energy system. Charging stations must be made accessible to private and public fleets. So, let us learn about the EV charging infrastructure, its benefits, and challenges.
What are the different standards of EV charging infrastructure?
EV charging stations are available as free-standing charging units or wall-mounted units. It is known as the electric charging station or recharging point. The charging infrastructure for electric vehicles can be categorized in 2 ways- AC and DC charging stations.
Level 1- With the Level 1 charging, the EV charging process will be slow and simple. It involves implementing a household electric outlet. It may take more than 40 hours to make a BEV fully charged. PHEV can be charged within 5 to 6 hours.
Level 2- It is a highly powerful and faster type of AC charging infrastructure, which involves using a 240V AC power source. You can find it in residential and commercial settings. Moreover, this charging system needs to be made accessible in both residential and commercial settings. It provides a range of around 10 kW of AC power. Full charging of BEVs takes 4 to 10 hours. Most EVs are compatible with Level 2 chargers.
Level 3- It is the fastest charging system, also known as DC charging. As it is a highly power charging method for EVs, it supplies high-voltage DC power. However, installing the DCFC stations needs professional assistance. For instance, CHAeMO and the Supercharger network of Tesla involve Level 3 charging. DCFC stations include a number of charging ports. That is why they are costlier than other charging standards.
How will EV charging infrastructure benefit you?
There are several advantages to developing a strong charging infrastructure for electric cars-
Promote businesses in the community– Strategically installed electric car chargers are advantageous to EV car drivers. They can easily access the refuelling spots. Whether you want to visit shopping malls or parks, you will be able to recharge your battery in the nearby charging stations.
Economic improvement– Financial assistance from the government for developing an EV charging system is available through grants and loans. It will solve the issues related to the development cost. EV charging station development and maintenance will lead to the creation of jobs. Companies will also get the opportunity to invest in domestic production. They can manufacture different components for charging electric vehicles.
Better public health– With an improved charging infrastructure, there will be an increased use of electric vehicles. EVs can lower the air pollution level.
Reduce harmful gas emissions– A shift from traditional ICE cars to EVs will bring a positive effect on the environment.
Better driving experience- If EV charging stations are installed and managed properly, recharging the vehicle’s battery will be predictable. It will meet the faster charging needs of drivers. Daily trips by running the EV will be free from concerns.
What are the main challenges with EV charging networks?
Currently, EV charging networks as not as accessible as traditional refueling systems. There must be a proper connection between the electricity grid and charging networks. However, the electric car charging infrastructure faces a number of challenges.
Charging infrastructure is not strong and well-equipped-
Grid operators, property owners, and charging system manufacturers should make an agreement. It is quite costly to build a charging system. The cost of installing charging systems ranges from $2,500 to $35,500 depending on the speed of charging.
Having well-equipped charging networks for office and residential use can be challenging. For example, it is not easy to determine the electric charging system that will be best for your needs. Availability of charging facilities is the primary factor when you think of purchasing EVs.
Interoperability of electric car’s grid
The existing communication and logistics systems are not strong. Charging manufacturers and utility service providers should make an agreement.
The best solution is to develop a vehicle-to-grid infrastructure. It is also essential to introduce new technology and protocols. However, utility organizations and the government often secure information and do not hand it out to the charging station providers. That is why the development process becomes slow, affecting profitability.
Problem problems while charging vehicles
Customers using the rapid charging system need it for various purposes on the route. They desire faster speed while charging the car. However, faster-performing charging systems consume considerable power. Moreover, grid management at peak times is another big challenge. Thus, charger installation is a concern in the world of EVs,
The best charging network provides the right amount of power. Though some latest electric cars charge at 300 Kw, many charging systems do not allow optimized speed. In some cases, the grids do not deliver power at the desired time. Overheated charger is another potential issue especially when you need the maximum power for a long period.
User-friendliness of the infrastructure
User experience is a big concern while recharging electric vehicles. Uncertainty and unreliability of chargers is a significant issue for electric vehicle drivers. The process of paying for recharging the vehicle should also be made simple and hassle-free. Moreover, disabled car drivers must find it easy to charge the car. The government of the country needs to stay committed to improving the systems. These approaches will lead to the development of a user-friendly charging infrastructure.
Conclusion
Innovations and technologies have started driving the trend of running EVs. Charging infrastructures are getting improved in most countries. Still, there is a need for more improvements to overcome the current challenges with the infrastructure. Charging system providers and governments have to work together to prevent limitations of the EV charging infrastructure.
