Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles in Different Countries: A Tech Slang Primer

There’s no denying that electric vehicles (EVs) are the future. But while they’re good for the environment and benefit drivers in many ways, they can’t thrive without reliable chargers. That’s why charging infrastructure is so important – it’s how drivers get the juice they need to move around.

Summary:

In this post, we’re gonna take a look at the charging infrastructure of different countries and examine the advances they’ve made in recent years. Let’s jump in!

The USA

Even though the US is one of the biggest markets for EVs, the country has been slow to roll out its charging infrastructure. Despite being home to the Tesla Supercharger network, there’s still a lot of discrepancies in coverage. The Western states, for example, are much better off than the East and Midwest.

Plus, the country’s DC fast chargers are currently limited to 50kW, while Europe and parts of Asia are pushing the limits up to 350kW. But there’s some good news – the Biden administration has plans to expand the network of public charging stations, so this could be the kickstart that the US needs to accelerate its progress.

Europe

Europe is usually at the forefront of innovation, and its charging infrastructure is no exception. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), there were over 330,000 public charging points in the EU in 2020. Plus, the EU has set a goal of 1 million public charging points by 2025.

In terms of speed, Europe is also a leader. The 350kW+ charging standard is currently being rolled out and implemented, and many countries (Germany, Norway, and the UK, to name a few) are pushing the envelope even further, with 500kW+ chargers already available.

China

China currently holds the title of the world’s largest car market, and it’s no different when it comes to EVs. In fact, the country is leading the global market with over 1.2 million EVs sold in 2020 alone.

Naturally, the Chinese government is taking the necessary steps to match demand with charging infrastructure. According to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, over 4.6 million charging points were available in China in 2020, with plans to hit 5.8 million by the end of the year.

The majority of these chargers are rated at 180kW, with a few 350kW+ DC fast chargers also available. Plus, new entrants like NIO and WM Motor are rolling out their own proprietary networks, which could help accelerate China’s march toward electrification even further.

Japan

Japan has been ahead of the curve when it comes to EVs, and its charging infrastructure is no exception. According to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), there were over 36,000 public charging stations in the country in 2020.

Plus, the government has set a goal of 3.7 million public charging points by 2030. And, with companies like Softbank Corp. rolling out their own proprietary charging networks, Japan seems to be on track to hit that goal.

India

India has been focusing on electrification for some time now, and the government has taken some big steps. According to the country’s Ministry of Power, there were over 3,000 public charging points in India in 2020, with plans to install nearly 4,000 in 2021.

In terms of speed, India is also making strides. The majority of chargers operate at 11kW, but there are also a few 50kW+ DC fast chargers available. Plus, with companies like Ather Energy and Tata Motors rolling out their own charging networks, the country could be positioned to accelerate its progress even further.

Final Thoughts

Charging infrastructure is essential for the success of EVs, and no two countries are alike in terms of development. The US has been slower to adopt, while Europe and parts of Asia have made impressive progress. China, Japan, and India have also made strides, and all three countries are looking to push their networks even further in the coming years.

So, as you can see, the future is bright for electric vehicles around the world. With the right charging infrastructure in place, more and more people will be able to join in on the electrification revolution.