Turbo-charging the eMobility transition

They’re silent, they’re fast, and they emit zero emissions – electric vehicles (EVs) give us mobility and flexibility without the environmental impact of combustion engines. On paper, it’s a no-brainer: Of course, the electrification of transport is an essential building block for creating a net-zero economy. But in practice, things are a little more complicated. When it comes to electric vehicles, many vehicle owners find themselves at a crossroads where technology meets anxiety. Where the desire to reduce your carbon footprint meets questions like: Are there enough places for me to charge my vehicle? And how long would it take?  

This makes hitting the accelerator on eMobility a challenge that begs for progress on many fronts – from political commitments and regulatory change to innovative and affordable technology. Let’s look at where we stand, or rather, how fast we are moving with eMobility. How are we progressing towards the full electrification of transport? And what are we at Siemens doing to foster growth in this space? 

Global sales of passenger EVs are expected to increase by over 20 percent to around 17 million this year. By 2035, EVs could account for over 50 percent of new passenger car sales. In any other business, these figures would send waves of euphoria through the boardrooms of manufacturers and suppliers alike. 

eMobility is growing fast – but not fast enough 

But in the eMobility sector, this seemingly remarkable growth trajectory is still not living up to its full potential. Despite incentives offered in major markets, including subsidies in Europe and a big push for electrification in the US as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, year-on-year growth rates are lagging. As it stands, private passenger EV ownership won’t be enough to sustain the eMobility transition in the race against time to meet climate targets. Corporate fleets, especially heavy-duty vehicles, need to play their part, as they have big potential to reduce CO2 emissions. 

Surveys tell us that, consumer demand notwithstanding, the lack of public charging points is one of the main obstacles for potential buyers, especially for those who cannot install wallboxes at home. For long-distance transport, en-route fast charging needs to be expanded to make it economically feasible for logistics companies and reduce range anxiety while increasing convenience. 

Regulators at the wheel 

To some extent, it is policymakers who need to drive change here, especially when it comes to charging infrastructure. China leads the way, with the city of Shenzhen’s fully electrified fleet of 16,000 eBuses showing what is possible. In the US, the Biden administration recently passed stricter limits on tailpipe emissions that are expected to boost the uptake of EV and hybrid cars and trucks. Meanwhile, Germany as one of the leading transit countries in Europe aims to make progress toward its target of carbon neutrality by 2045, by electrifying the transport of goods and passengers. This will not only require massive investments – the government has earmarked €6.3 billion for charging infrastructure until 2026 – but also a market-based plan for implementation of depot, destination, and en-route charging.  

In Germany and elsewhere, this will need to include rapid regulatory approval for grid connections and unbureaucratic provision of suitable spaces, especially for heavy vehicle charging, along roads and highways. And the network not only has to be vast, it needs charging technology that is fast, powerful, compact and can refuel multiple electric vehicles with one grid connection to save on both space and costs for charge point operators. 

Technology to transform the EV charging experience 

The latest variant of our SICHARGE D fast charger covers all of these things. With a constant output of up to 400 kW, it is among the most powerful EV chargers on the market – catering to eTrucks and eCars alike. 

And with the January 2024 acquisition of Heliox, a market leader in DC fast charging solutions serving eBus and eTruck fleets as well as passenger vehicles, we have complemented our portfolio in a key segment for the electrification of transport.  

Given their disproportionate emissions, heavy vehicles offer a powerful lever for scaling up sustainability. This means that progress in this sector is an important catalyst for all vehicle segments and essential to reducing the carbon footprint of transportation. In Germany, Siemens and the manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus have joined forces to call for the government to accelerate the expansion of charging infrastructure for heavy vehicles.  

I firmly believe that we already have the technology in hand to change the infrastructure of our cities and beyond, and to change our mindset about mobility. The route towards the electrification of transport is clear. Now we just need to make sure we hit the accelerator. So that when drivers stand at the crossroads, they don’t face the dilemma of choosing between moving ahead on their own course or advancing the cause of sustainability.