What is needed for successful EV-driving at scale?

The overall EV market is expanding significantly, also in Belgium. We are at the start of an exponential momentum of a so-called S-curve of adoption in innovation. The figure below shows our expectations for the number of BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) in Belgium based on legal, fiscal impact, and company cars influence. We expect 30% of all cars in Belgium will be BEV by 2030. We also expect that the adoption of BEV in new car sales will jump to 66% in 2030 and approximately 90% in 2035. We did not take into account potential effects of (autonomous) car sharing on the total number of cars.

Why should we speed up? Because Electric Vehicles (full EV) are just one part of the picture. E-Mobility requires above all smart energy supply. This is where huge opportunities arise for innovative partnerships. This is already happening. For example, gas stations owners who, in order to stay relevant and future proof, are rethinking their role as mobility energy service provider. Or leasing companies who are integrating the installation of charging infrastructure in their offering. All of this is leading to a new dynamic, in which many partners will have to collaborate: energy providers, grid infrastructure, cities and urban planners, manufacturers, app developers, etc.

But what are the most urgent challenges at hand and how do we deal with them?

Smart charging goes beyond just fast charging. It means that cars are able to support the grid by injecting power, helping to guarantee grid stability and to distribute power more efficiently. Of course, this information must be transparent and readily available so that we can adapt the charging speed and process to make the best possible use of grid capacity. All this while making sure EV drivers can trust to reach their individual destinations timely. The overall idea is to make charging extremely simple and transparent for users, who will only switch to EV if range and charging are guaranteed, and the cost and revenue model is interesting enough.

A significant increase in public charging points will be required to give users range confidence to support the EV uptake. EV charging is currently dominated by home charging, but authorities and private developers are increasing their public charging efforts. Fast public charging is needed at important mobility hubs and across vital road networks. Slower public chargers are typically more relevant for long-parking users; often people without private parking spot or access to a home charger. It is essential to realize an energy infrastructure upgrade, combined with cities and municipalities rethinking how to use the much coveted development space with regard to charging points in the public domain, car parks, idle time and sharing.

The implications for Belgium are real. We have to trigger various mobility policy levels (Federal, regional, local and the newly formed mobility regions) to facilitate this evolution. Obviously, as a small transit country, we cannot – must not – fall behind. Installing a sufficient number of charging equivalents (30.000 is the goal of the incumbent Minister in Flanders) will require multifaced public-private-partnerships with future-oriented corporates, start-ups and scale-ups. They will be developing the technology and appropriate business models to integrate all relevant partners in the entire customer journey, even making decisions for the consumer. Smart? You bet.