Enhancing charging services to accelerate the EV transition

This is part of a series of influencer blogs for Economist Impact's rEV Index.

New proposals offer hope, but lack key safeguards

Recently, the European Commission released its Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) proposal.⁴ It repeals the previous Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive adopted in 2014 that sets the regulatory framework for public recharging and refuelling infrastructure for alternative fuels, including public charging stations for EVs. The new regulation is part of a comprehensive set of measures called “Fit for 55” that aims to achieve a 55% reduction in European GHG emissions by 2030. The package recognises advancements in EV technologies and growth in demand, and includes revisions to new vehicle emissions targets and requirements to end the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars across Europe.⁵ As part of ChargeUp Europe, a trade association fighting to improve EV charging in Europe, ChargePoint welcomes many of the changes in the new proposal, but we believe certain elements could be further improved to ensure a seamless and convenient EV charging experience for drivers across Europe.

Since 2007, ChargePoint has been at the forefront of efforts to one day move all people and goods on electricity across North America and here in Europe. We’re nearly there. But to accomplish that goal, all of us—from governments and industry to utilities, businesses, and individuals—must work together to make the transition to electric fuelling as easy and as seamless as possible for drivers across the continent. That’s why, in March 2020, we teamed up with Allego and EVBox to found ChargeUp Europe, a trade association dedicated to creating a consumer-centric, open market model for charging infrastructure in Europe. The alliance has since added 17 new members, making it among the largest EV charging infrastructure associations in the world. We believe in building a transparent, market-based regulatory framework for European electro-mobility that is predictable and non-discriminatory.

The updated AFIR policy, released in July, introduces some constructive provisions, including improvements to its legal basis that will result in increased deployment and coverage of EV charging infrastructure to advance pan-European connectivity, as well as better EU-level enforcement. Those changes, along with mandatory capacity-based targets for new EV charging infrastructure and complementary policy proposals such as the revision of carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels for new vehicles, provide strong signals that are expected to drive investment in the sector. However, the AFIR proposal is still missing key safeguards that, if implemented, would unlock increased benefits to consumers regarding overall user experience and costs associated with EV charging.

A subscription model is necessary for enabling both smart charging and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integrations. For utilities to be able to control the charging and discharging of energy to and from an EV, it is necessary that they are able to set up agreements and communicate with the EV driver. Neither are feasible with ad hoc payments alone since there can be no driver authentication and, thus, no communication to express consent.

Roaming enables a seamless driver experience

Most importantly, a subscription model can enable roaming. As with the interconnectivity and convenience enjoyed by customers of rival telecom companies, EV roaming benefits users by allowing them to access charging at stations belonging to multiple electric fuelling networks using a single subscription offered by their preferred mobility service provider (their “home” operator). This applies both within countries and across national borders. A minimum level of accessibility to competitor’s charging stations via roaming should be ensured with legislation to optimise efficiencies and to foster competitiveness in a nascent but fast-growing market. Currently, these provisions are absent from the AFIR proposal.

More legislation necessary to ensure EV adoption across Europe

According to BloombergNEF, “Support for charging infrastructure needs to be expanded dramatically, including for remote and otherwise under-served locations.”⁷ The AFIR can substantially improve the market principles for the deployment of e-mobility services to that end. For the mass-adoption of EVs necessary to achieve EU climate goals and accelerated emissions targets, drivers must be able to rely on a functioning electric fuelling market. The market must allow access to a large network of smart chargers, dispersed equitably, and offer price transparency and easy payments. Most importantly, it must include roaming options that remove the hassle for drivers, such as forcing them to manage multiple charging accounts or rely on several mobile apps to charge.

Change is difficult even under optimal circumstances. When asking people to alter their behaviours to thwart an existential threat such as climate change, it must be as easy and seamless as possible for them to do so. EVs are superior to their ICE counterparts in every way imaginable. They are technologically advanced, far more efficient, quieter, non-polluting, and cost less to both power and maintain. Fuelling them should be no different. Supporting a robust EV charging industry in the EU will drive access, inspire innovation, and increase adoption. The clock is ticking. It’s time to make the promise of e-mobility a reality in Europe.

Find out more about EV readiness across the UK and in other important markets in Europe and globally from the rEV Index.

About the author:

Christelle is Senior Director for European Policy at ChargePoint, the world’s leading and most open electric vehicle charging network. In this role, she is responsible for coordinating the company’s policy engagement in Europe with a focus on policy developments in the context of electro-mobility. ChargePoint is founding member of “ChargeUp Europe”, an industry alliance dedicated to create an open market model for EV charging infrastructure in Europe starting from the driver’s interest. Christelle is also chairing the Transport, Energy and Climate Committee in AmCham EU in Brussels.

Until 2018, Christelle was Director for European Government Affairs at GE where she focused mainly on renewable energy, cogeneration and environmental policies. Christelle got seconded at the International Energy Agency as Energy Analyst in the “Gas, Coal and Power Market” Division where she contributed to the electricity markets workstream as part of the IEA “Electricity Security Action Plan” and the “Re-Powering markets” publications.

Christelle holds a Masters in Political Sciences and International Relations and a Masters in Languages and Business Communication from UCL Université Catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium). She also graduated from Advanced Management Program at Solvay Business School (Belgium).