The landscape of EV charging in Europe is quite diverse. Across Europe, multiple technologies are being utilized for EV charging. Complex regulations governing the sale of electricity vary from country to country, and several different payment models and electricity rate structures apply to EV charging services, further complicating the process of paying for vehicle charging.
At the same time, the absence of a single alternating current (AC) EV charging connector standard has hampered the deployment of EV charging infrastructure. Despite these challenges, the market for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) will grow rapidly in Europe over the remainder of the decade. According to a new report from Pike Research (“Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment in Europe”), EVSE revenue in Europe will grow from €72 million in 2012 to more than €1 billion by 2020.
“European sales of charging equipment have lagged North America because of a lack of standards and slower than expected EV sales,” says research director John Gartner. “However, Pike Research expects that in a few years, consensus will be reached by auto manufacturers in the region on both AC and DC charging equipment, and market demand will accelerate rapidly beginning in 2015.”
Gartner adds that the largest market for both plug-in EVs and charging equipment will be Germany, which will represent 23% of all EV charging systems sold through 2020.
One key emerging leader in the European EVSE market is the alliance between French automaker Renault and Nissan, of Japan. With its ZOE battery electric vehicle, Renault is introducing both a vehicle and the supporting infrastructure technology and deployment. Renault designed the ZOE BEV so that a corresponding fast charging station would be inexpensive to build. Pike Research’s analysis indicates that this low-cost charger has the potential to change the economics of commercial EV charging.
Hertz to promote EV charging network
The Hertz Corporation, the world’s largest general use car rental brand, is one company working to boost the number of EV charging points across Europe, and this month announced that it will help promote Source London’s charging network to Hertz customers in support of London’s vision of becoming an electric capital of Europe.
As well as continuing to provide free access to Source London’s network to Hertz customers when they rent Hertz On Demand car share EVs, Hertz will also promote Source London at its London EV rental locations and on its corporate website.
“We’re excited to support Source London in its efforts to build an electric vehicle charging network across Greater London. At Hertz we’ve committed to pioneering smart mobility, including rentals of electric vehicles, which can benefit from Source London’s extensive network,” explains Michel Taride, President, Hertz International and Executive Vice President, Hertz Corporation.
The move comes as part of Hertz’s on-going commitment to sustainable motoring. The first global rental car company to provide EVs across three continents and offering the most diverse range of EVs on the market, Hertz launched ‘Living Journey’, the global sustainability strategy underpinning all areas of its business, in 2011. More recently it has announced a range of agreements to expand upon its fleet of electric cars and vans, including the Vauxhall Ampera announced this month.
In the UK, Hertz operates 16 Source London funded charging points at six locations across Greater London including London Heathrow and London City Airport.
London leading the way
Earlier this month the Hertz Corporation hosted a discussion with representatives from the Office of Low Emissions Vehicles, Transport for London’s Source London and PricewaterhouseCoopers on the EV revolution. Electric vehicles have become a reality in London, which is a leader in advancing a new model for mobility, but the speakers at the event suggested that collaboration will be key to accelerating EV adoption more widely throughout the UK for both consumers and businesses as well as enabling access for all.
Speaking at the event, Taride said: “London is truly a leader in electric mobility – once a vision, electric vehicles and a charging infrastructure have now become a reality in our capital city. The car rental industry, local and central government, charging station providers, businesses and consumers now need to come together and each play their role in spreading the EV revolution throughout the UK”.
At the event, Fraser Macdonald, Transport for London Project Manager, Source London, commented on the importance of collaboration and partnership: “We are still at the beginning of a journey and hope our story – one of optimizing partnerships, developing policy and aiding private and public sector partners to work together – will change the shape of London, develop a new market and deliver cleaner air for the capital”.
“Vehicle technology has advanced to make EVs a reality, but the network of charging stations to support usage is essential. Like London, cities need to have plans in place to develop EV networks; bringing together stakeholders including EV manufacturers, charging station providers and customers. In addition to on-street charging, corporations should install charging stations in buildings and business campuses to support fleet business cars as well as personal cars,” Hertz’s Taride continues.
Hertz also believes that education is key to encouraging mass adoption of EVs by consumers and businesses and that the car rental industry and government should launch a joint marketing campaign to educate people in the UK on the benefits of the new technologies; collaborating to make the electric revolution happen even faster.
In less than a year, Hertz’s global EV programme and strategy, which is part of the Hertz rental offer and Hertz on Demand car share, has grown from a vision to a market reality in more than ten cities across three continents. Hertz offers the most diverse fleet of EVs and plug-in hybrids available in the rental market - from manufacturers including Nissan, Renault, Vauxhall Motors, Chevrolet, GM, Mitsubishi, and Tesla. In London Hertz data shows that the average electric vehicle rental is six hours, with an average journey of 16.81 miles.
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