The International Energy Agency (IEA’s) latest statistics paint a compelling picture of the rapid expansion in the global electric vehicle charging landscape. 

In 2021, a staggering 1.8 million public charging points were distributed across the world, a testament to the surging demand for EV infrastructure. 

Within the same year, an impressive 500,000 new chargers were deployed globally, highlighting the industry’s remarkable growth.

The zeal for developing robust direct current (DC) fast-charging networks is palpable on a global scale. In the United States alone, the government has earmarked over $5 billion in funding and incentives to foster the creation of a coast-to-coast fast-charging network. 

Join us on this journey as we dissect the top EV charging industry trends, revealing not just the technological advancements but also the strategic moves that hold the key to making electric mobility a reality for all.

Trend 1: Smart EV Charging

Smart charging for electric vehicles enables users to monitor, regulate, and adjust their energy consumption. This requires a data link between the EV, charger, the cloud-based charging management platform of the charge station operator, and the grid.

Optimization of energy usage is achieved through smart charging, considering grid limits, energy prices, renewable energy availability, locally stored energy, preset EV owner preferences, and driving demands.

By 2025, it is estimated that there will be over 40 million connected EV charging points globally, many of which will incorporate smart charging capabilities.

Smart EV charging offers a range of benefits across sectors, serving EV drivers, fleet operators, commercial buildings, and businesses. Here’s an overview of these advantages:

EV Drivers

Convenience: EV drivers can remotely monitor and control their charging sessions via mobile apps or web interfaces, allowing them to start, stop, or schedule charging. This ensures their EV is ready when needed without requiring physical presence at the charging station.

Cost Savings: Many smart charging systems offer dynamic pricing and load management features, enabling drivers to benefit from off-peak rates and potentially reduce charging costs significantly.

Range Assurance: Smart chargers provide real-time updates on charging progress and notify drivers when their EV is fully charged, reducing waiting times and alleviating range anxiety.

Fleet Operators

Fleet Management: Fleet operators benefit from Smart EV charging solutions by managing their fleet’s charging schedules, monitoring energy consumption, and optimizing electric vehicle routes using detailed data and reporting.

Reduced Operating Costs: By leveraging off-peak charging rates and load management, fleets can lower their operational expenses, making electric vehicle adoption more cost-effective.

Predictive Maintenance: Smart charging systems provide insights into EV health, aiding fleet managers in scheduling preventive maintenance more effectively.

Commercial Buildings

Energy Management: For commercial buildings, integrating smart chargers with energy management systems enables businesses to balance power demand and cut energy costs by avoiding peak usage charges.

Sustainability: Additionally, EV chargers in commercial spaces support sustainability efforts, showcasing a commitment to environmentally responsible practices.

Additional Revenue: For commercial property owners, offering EV charging services can generate additional income streams and increase property value by catering to the growing number of EV drivers.

Download the EV Startup Starter Kit to access free materials you can use for your EV charging station business.

Trend 2: Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) is a technology that allows electric cars (EVs) to connect with the public power grid and potentially supply electricity back to the grid in order to fulfill energy demand.

V2G enables EVs to not only draw electricity from the grid but also to return excess energy back to it when needed. This bidirectional flow of power brings several advantages:

Grid Resilience

EVs act as mobile energy reserves during peak demand or power outages, enhancing grid resilience and reducing the need for costly infrastructure upgrades.

Energy Cost Savings

EV owners can sell excess energy back to the grid during high-demand periods, offsetting charging costs or even making a profit.

Renewable Integration

V2G facilitates the integration of renewable energy sources by storing excess renewable energy in EV batteries and releasing it when demand is high, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Reduced Infrastructure Costs

V2G supports renewable energy integration by storing surplus renewable energy in EV batteries and releasing it during peak demand, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Environmental Impact

By optimizing energy use and reducing both EV and grid carbon footprints, V2G contributes to a more sustainable energy ecosystem.

6% of global electricity production could be stored in batteries with the V2G technology.

Trend 3: Shift to Renewable Energy 

Major EV charging companies operating in the United States are increasingly making substantial commitments to transition their networks toward renewable energy sources. 

For instance, ChargePoint, one of the country’s largest charging infrastructure providers, pledged to source 100% renewable energy for its charging network by 2025.

Charging networks, both public and private, are installing solar panels at their facilities to harness clean energy for charging electric vehicles. 

This approach not only reduces the environmental impact but also enhances the resilience of charging infrastructure during grid disruptions.

Government incentives and programs aimed at promoting renewable energy adoption have further encouraged EV charging companies to invest in clean energy solutions.

As environmental consciousness grows among consumers, they are increasingly seeking out EV charging stations powered by renewable energy. 

This consumer demand is pushing charging companies to prioritize renewable energy sourcing to remain competitive and attract environmentally conscious users.

Tesla’s Supercharger network powered over 30% of its charging stations with solar energy in the United States.

Trend 4: Plug & Charge with ISO 15118

Plug & Charge, based on ISO 15118 streamlines the user experience by enabling automatic authentication and payment, eliminating the need for physical cards or smartphone apps to initiate charging sessions. 

How Plug & Charge Works

Vehicle Authentication: When an EV equipped with Plug & Charge capability plugs into a compatible charging station, the vehicle communicates with the charger using the ISO 15118 protocol. The charger asks the vehicle to identify itself.

Certificate Exchange: The vehicle responds by providing a digital certificate that uniquely identifies it. This certificate is securely stored within the vehicle’s hardware.

Charging Commences: Once the authentication process is complete, the charging station starts providing power to the vehicle, initiating the charging session without any additional user input.

Automatic Billing: Simultaneously with the charging process, the billing information is automatically exchanged between the vehicle and the charging station. The charging station calculates the cost based on the electricity consumed, and the vehicle agrees to the transaction.

Charging Completion: When the vehicle’s battery reaches sufficient charge or the user decides to end the session, the charging station is notified, and the power supply is disconnected.

Read this blog to find out how to choose the proper hardware for your EV business. 

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Key Benefits of Plug & Charge with ISO 15118

Seamless User Experience: Users can simply plug in their EVs without the hassle of using RFID cards or mobile apps, making EV charging more user-friendly and convenient.

Enhanced Security: The authentication and encryption mechanisms built into ISO 15118 ensure secure and tamper-proof communication between the EV and the charging station, protecting against unauthorized access and fraud.

Efficient Billing: Automatic billing ensures accurate and hassle-free payment for the energy consumed, simplifying financial transactions for both EV drivers and charging station operators.

Interoperability: ISO 15118 is an international standard that promotes interoperability among different EVs and charging station manufacturers, creating a consistent and reliable charging experience.

Trend 5: Adaptation of OCPP 2.0.1

OCPP 2.0.1 serves as a universal language that allows charging stations and central management systems (CMS) to communicate effectively, offering numerous benefits to the industry and its stakeholders.

Interoperability: OCPP 2.0.1 has become the linchpin for achieving interoperability among various EV charging station manufacturers and CMS providers. This standard ensures that different components of the EV charging network can seamlessly communicate, reducing compatibility issues and simplifying network expansion.

Remote Management: OCPP 2.0.1 empowers operators to remotely monitor and manage charging stations, enabling real-time diagnostics, firmware updates, and issue resolution. This capability not only enhances the reliability of charging stations but also reduces maintenance costs.

Scalability: The protocol allows for the flexible scaling of charging networks, accommodating the growing demand for EV charging infrastructure. As EV adoption surges, OCPP 2.0.1 provides the scalability needed to expand charging networks efficiently.

Grid Integration: OCPP 2.0.1 supports grid management and integration features, including load management and demand response capabilities. This enables operators to optimize energy use, reduce peak demand, and contribute to grid stability.

Global Impact: OCPP 2.0.1’s adoption is not limited to a particular region; it has gained international recognition and implementation. This global acceptance enhances the compatibility of EV charging infrastructure worldwide.

Read this blog to learn how load balancing and smart charging work in OCPP 1.6.

Trend 6: eRoaming

eRoaming, short for “electric roaming,” is a vital concept in the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry that facilitates seamless charging experiences for EV drivers, regardless of their location and the charging network they use. 

Much like how mobile phones can access networks beyond their home providers while roaming, eRoaming enables EVs to access different charging networks, creating a cohesive and user-friendly charging ecosystem. 

Here’s how eRoaming is revolutionizing EV charging:

Network Agnosticism: eRoaming allows EV drivers to access charging stations from various providers using a single access point or app. This means users aren’t tied to a specific network, making it more convenient to charge their vehicles anywhere.

Interconnected Charging Networks: eRoaming platforms act as intermediaries that connect different charging network operators. They facilitate communication and data exchange between the EV, charging station, and network operator, enabling seamless authentication and payment processes.

Enhanced Accessibility: EV drivers can easily locate available charging stations and initiate charging sessions, even in unfamiliar locations. This accessibility promotes EV adoption by mitigating range anxiety and ensuring charging convenience during travel.

In 2022, there were 2.7 million public charging points globally. 900,000 of these were installed over the year, accounting for 55% growth from 2021.

Billing and Payment Simplification: With eRoaming, users can rely on a single billing and payment platform for charging sessions across multiple networks. This simplifies financial transactions and reduces the need for multiple accounts and payment methods.

Industry Standardization: Standardized protocols, such as the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) and ISO 15118, contribute to the success of eRoaming by ensuring that different charging networks can communicate effectively and securely.

Global Expansion: Organizations like the Hubject platform in Europe and the Open Charge Alliance in the United States have spearheaded eRoaming efforts, making cross-network charging accessible internationally.

Concluding Thoughts

In light of these trends, it’s evident that the EV Charging industry is not just evolving but revolutionizing how we think about transportation and energy. 

As these trends continue to shape the industry, we can anticipate even more innovative solutions, increased convenience, and a more sustainable future for electric vehicles and the world they operate in. 

Contact us today to learn more about how you can grow your business in the EV charging industry.