Charging Ahead or Falling Behind? The Future of EV Infrastructure: the landline vs mobile dilemma

The debate around our current investment in EV #charginginfrastructure versus what future technologies will truly offer requires a data-driven approach, like my friend Adam Ridgway is deploying brilliantly at ONE MOTO - Electric Vehicles or my fellow Italian and EV sherpa (thanks for all the beauty in the Fisker Karma project!) Gianfranco Pizzuto is aiming to pull off in the Advanced Mobility Hub in Grugliasco (all the best my dear!), ex Maserati plant.

I want to lay down my views in simple terms, as I encourage other leaders in the sectors to express all the #inconvenienttruth needed (H/O Al Gore), aiming to truly unravel optimal innovations instead of sub-optimal solutions, disrupting mobility once and for all. Ex Accenture colleagues and mobility leaders Emily Weiss Teodoro Lio Alessandro Zanotti Axel Schmidt Emiliano Napoli Alberto Sernia Alberto Scaglione Maria Mazzone Luca Gianazza I'd love you to express your innovative views and insights on the below.

Today's reality:

The current infrastructure as of 2023 consists of approximately 1.3 million EV charging stations globally, with a projected need for 12.9 million by 2030 (McKinsey & Company, 2020). This highlights the immediate need for more chargers and this varies significantly by region, reflecting the commitment of different countries to electric vehicle adoption and infrastructure development.

Necessity and Efficiency:

The average Level 2 charger provides about 15-30 miles of range per hour of charging, while DC fast chargers can offer up to 20 miles per minute (as per the U.S. Department of Energy). This technology is crucial for current EV models and user patterns.

The Pitfall of Short-Sightedness on #EV:

Historical parallels on tech evolutionary patterns, like the transition from 3G to 4G in mobile technology, show how rapidly technology can become outdated.

The 3G technology, which peaked at 4.2 billion connections in 2018, is now being phased out just a few years later (GSMA Intelligence, 2019). From 2015 to 2019, the coverage of 3G and 4G networks in low and middle income countries expanded significantly, with 3G coverage growing from 77% to 90% and 4G coverage from 46% to 82%. This rapid expansion was supported by substantial investments from mobile operators in these regions, amounting to around $270 billion over this period.

Risk of #obsolescence:

Investing solely in today’s technology is like the telecommunications industry focusing only on landlines when mobile phones were emerging.

The key takeaway is the critical need for strategic investment that not only addresses current demands but also anticipates future technological shifts. For instance, the EV charging industry might see similar growth patterns as the mobile industry, where early investment in emerging technologies could lead to significant market advantages.

Tomorrow's #vision:

- #WirelessCharging: Projects like the WiTricity #Halo™ demonstrate the potential of wireless EV charging, offering convenience and efficiency.

- #UltraFastCharging: Research into solid-state batteries, like those by QuantumScape, suggests the possibility of charging EVs in nearly the same time it takes to fill a gas tank.

- #BatterySwapping: NIO, a #Chinese EV manufacturer, has successfully implemented battery swapping stations, reducing charging time anxiety and increasing convenience for users.

A call to action, perhaps different for different regions:

- Conservative Approach: we continue to invest heavily in current technologies. This scenario risks technological stagnation and potential loss of market share to more innovative competitors.

- Balanced Approach: we allocate 70% of resources to current technologies and 30% to emerging technologies. This approach aims for a balance between meeting immediate needs and investing in future growth.

- Aggressive Innovation: we shift focus predominantly towards emerging technologies like wireless and ultra-fast charging. While risky, this could position companies as market leaders in the next wave of EV technology.

The choice is pressing and urgent: we must balance our portfolio to not only cater to today's needs but also to pioneer the innovations of tomorrow. As leaders in #sustainablemobility, our decisions today will shape the future of mobility.

#EVInfrastructure #ElectricVehicles #SustainableMobility #FutureOfTransport #ChargingStations #GreenTechnology #CleanEnergy #InnovationInMobility #TechEvolution #SmartCities #WirelessCharging #UltraFastCharging #BatteryTechnology #EnvironmentalImpact #MobilityLeaders