The debate about charging standards rages.
The land grab for charging spaces continues.
The ridiculous proliferation of charging maps amuses (60+).
The lack of a coherent national UK policy frustrates.
The void created by the absence of government insight and therefore policy and control is confusing both the trade and consumers - yet it need not be this way.
Here's how I see it:
Start with the customer. What are the customer segments and what are their needs? How do they behave? What is the most cost effective and efficient way to meet those needs? A simplified view:
Charging at home, at work, and at hotels/airports and other places offering long term car parking can be slow charging, because at these places an electric car will typically be parked for 8 hours or more. No need for expensive fast charging, unless you wish to pay a premium to be able to do so. In many cases, charging can be solar p/v i.e off-grid and zero emission.
Charging everywhere else can be fast charging and eventually, a premium price paid for it - although the cost and price of fast charging infrastructure must come down by 50% or more to create viable business models. Public car parks, shopping malls, retail parks, supermarkets, city centre kerbside parking, these are the places where stays will be short and where speed and convenience has its price, or can be offered as an incentive to visit. One point to note is that the tax man may have something to say about workplace charging however, as it may be seen as a Benefit in Kind (BIK).
According to US charging firm 360 Green, for home charging of 50 miles in the US, a Level 1 (110v) charger will take 7 hours at 1.7 kWh charge rate compared to a Level 2 (220v) charger which will take 3.6 hours at a charge rate of 3.3 kWh.
For public charging, where the average stay at a US grocery store is 26 minutes, a Level 2 (220v) charger would charge 6 miles and a Level 3 (DC 480v) fast charger 80 miles.
As with all matters electric, the landscape will settle down as governments develop policy and companies develop their business models based on cost reductions and economies of scale, combined with an understanding of customer needs and our willingness to pay.
