The European Union has been told over one million electric vehicle (EV) charging stations will be required by 2024 in order to meet the demand following the energy transition as many major automakers ramp up production in the wake of the coronavirus, according to a car lobby group.
In an open letter signed by various transport groups, the Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has urged commissioners to use this year's revision of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure law to mandate the development of charging stations across the bloc.
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The ACEA estimate that three million of these charging stations will be needed by the end of the decade and have prompted the EU to act accordingly.
The group claims that firm targets may help automakers and power grid operators plan ahead which may secure a more amenable energy transition with consumers.
Electric vehicles are set to dominate the European new car market by 2050 and attempts will need to be made to ensure there are enough ways for consumers to charge their vehicles.
Personal charging stations are still relatively rare and expensive, so government initiatives may have to be taken in order to aptly deal with demand.
Electric vehicles are also essential in moving the world away from fossil fuels as a number of states both within the EU and beyond set themselves strict climate targets.
William Todts, the executive director at environmental NGO Transport & Environment, said: “If we're serious about global warming we need to go electric fast. To speed up the transition we need ubiquitous and easy charging not just in Norway and the Netherlands but all across Europe. EV charging targets per country are a great way to make that happen and the Commission should stop dragging its feet over this.”
Both the public and private sector are marking a shift towards greener energy, with many companies and nations having pledged themselves towards carbon-neutrality within the next few decades.
The UK and Portugal have also opted to outright ban the sale of electric and diesel vehicles by 2030 and 2035, respectively - a notion that has been supported by leading automakers such as Volvo.
Oliver Zipse, ACEA president and CEO of BMW, said: “European automakers are driving the transition to e-mobility and are literally outperforming each other in launching new electric vehicles. But the success of this huge effort is seriously threatened by the delayed installation of charging infrastructure in the EU.
"The EU Commission quickly needs to take action and set binding targets for the ramp-up of charging infrastructure in the member states. Otherwise, even the current reduction targets in fighting climate change are at risk. In addition to public charging infrastructure, we also need to put a stronger focus on workplace and home charging.”
Within the EU, 14.6 million people work in the automotive industry, making it one of the largest single industries in the bloc, making up 11% of the manufacturing sector.
The ACEA has proposed to be allocated to each country based on a simple and fair methodology taking several factors into consideration, including the prevalence of private charging.
The lobby group has suggested the EU continue to increase the availability of both private and public charging as EVs continue to grow in the market.
Monique Goyens, director general at the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), said: “It must be as easy to charge an electric car as it is to fuel a petrol one. Having sufficient – and convenient – charging infrastructure is the highway towards consumer confidence and uptake of electric cars. Policymakers should therefore tackle practical concerns, such as displaying charging tariffs in price per kilowatt hour and allowing commonly available payment methods.”
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Industry figures show the EU had 224,538 public charging ports in 2020.
The letter also called on the EU to implement around 1,000 hydrogen stations by 2029.
The bodies believe apt regulation will allow for swift implementation of new targets without having to rely on changing national laws, which could take years.
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