David Pownall, VP of Power Systems UK and Ireland, Schneider Electric looks at creating a resilient, dependable EV charging network in the UK.
One of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in the UK remains domestic transport. Although sales of electric vehicles have notably increased, surpassing all other vehicle types last year, significant obstacles must be addressed for a widespread rollout to become possible.
A lack of reliable charging infrastructure is currently threatening to slam the brakes on the rapidly increasing demand for electric vehicles. Whilst local authorities are taking steps in the right direction, with some councils increasing their investment in EV infrastructure by an average of 42% annually, there are still significant hurdles to overcome.
1.3 million EV drivers are already on the roads in the UK. These drivers are likely facing uncertainty about when and where they can charge their vehicles in public. Recent research has highlighted that some councils can’t confirm whether their charging points are working and the reliability of chargers is still lacking. In some areas, the percentage of operational council-operated chargers has plummeted as low as 2.8%.
Over the next ten years, the number of EV drivers in the UK is expected to soar. To meet this demand, we need a resilient, scalable charging network which includes well-placed, accessible, and dependable chargers. Improving the reliability of charging experiences will be critical to maintain driver trust and confidence and ensure we don’t bring EV growth to a screeching halt.
Governments, businesses, and local authorities will need to work in tandem if we are to deliver on the UK’s goal of phasing-out petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035. Collaboration and a shared commitment to innovation will be critical in unlocking a more energy-efficient, planet-friendly transport system.
Why visibility into charging infrastructure is critical
Creating a strong EV infrastructure involves more than just adding additional charging points; it’s about careful planning that takes grid capacity and customer demand into account. For instance, while ultra-rapid chargers make sense at motorway service areas, that doesn’t mean the grid can always cope with the increased demand in these locations. Installing infrastructure without considering future demand or technical limitations could result in assets being underutilised or the grid being placed under strain.
Improved visibility into charging infrastructure enables engineers and asset managers to eliminate manual processes and to understand whether charging units are performing as expected. Real-time monitoring tools can be used to track charger performance, spot faults or outages, and even allow for remote repairs. This creates safer, more dependable charging experiences for end-users, but it also provides real-time insights that enable local councils to ensure infrastructure is being planned and developed in-line with growing demand. Councils needn’t face this challenge alone. They can work alongside industry partners with decades of expertise who offer support throughout the entire EV infrastructure lifecycle, from planning to deployment to continuous repairs and maintenance.
Intelligent load distribution
Without access to unified data, charging systems are harder to scale, less efficient, and more costly to operate. Fortunately, technologies such as load management systems now equip asset managers with the ability to collect and analyse data during charging sessions in real-time. These smart systems allow asset managers to monitor charging sessions, track equipment health, and dynamically control how much energy is delivered to each vehicle. For example, if three cars are connected to the EV charging infrastructure in a car park, the system can intelligently allocate energy based on demand. This ensures that chargers do not operate at full capacity if a company car park is nearly empty, and power remains balanced during peak periods. Critically, load management systems improve driver experiences by ensuring the availability of functional chargers. By avoiding overload, asset managers can extend the lifespan of their chargers and avoid scenarios where some cars receive full power whilst others are left waiting. Redistributing electrical loads cuts down on the costs associated with energy waste and eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming upgrades.
The technology is already available today to facilitate meaningful change in the UK’s transport sector and bolster the growth of the EV market. The challenge that remains is to develop a strong case for investment into these technologies, a case that connects environmental goals with economic development. By highlighting incremental gains around energy savings and lower maintenance costs, councils can make a clear case for return on investment. These results, when measured and communicated clearly, help to make the case for greater data monitoring systems to be implemented, allowing leaders and investors to better determine where and when an increased investment into charging infrastructure needs to happen.
The road ahead
The technology to deliver on the UK’s EV ambitions has already arrived. Now the challenge is to ensure that data is being efficiently collected and utilised to create a charging infrastructure that is dependable, adaptable, and focused on driver demand. The dependability, effectiveness, and accessibility of the entire system will determine true progress, rather than the number of chargers installed.
Innovative technology, such as predictive maintenance and remote monitoring, will play a fundamental role in eradicating siloes between local councils, governments, asset managers, and service providers. Smart, interconnected systems that are ‘in conversation’ with one another will enable stakeholders to collaborate anytime, anywhere, ensuring that every decision to scale charging infrastructure is intelligent and data driven. A digital-first approach and cooperation will be key if the UK is to deliver reliable charging networks that can respond to market fluctuations in demand. With strong partnerships in place and a laser-focus on innovation, the UK can deliver on its ambitious EV goals whilst supercharging the country’s economic growth.