A recent report by IDTechEx has highlighted key trends propelling the electric vehicle (EV) charging market, including advancements in battery technology, solar charging solutions, and new US government programs.
Faster charging 800V batteries and Traction-Integrated Onboard Chargers (iOBCs) have made great strides in charging time, doubling the voltage of previous 400V batteries and significantly reducing time taken to reach full charge.
Some commercial vehicles operating on a higher platform voltage have successfully employed onboard traction inverters as part of the charging circuit, reducing costs, weight, and public space use.
By 2026, IDTechEx anticipates that many Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) will adopt these next-generation platforms.
The report predicts the next generation of charging infrastructure will be able to eliminate component double-ups and create decentralised networks of bidirectional DC micro-grids.
Solar charging and national infrastructure
The generation of energy for charging stations, especially in remote regions, offers its own set of challenges.
Off-grid solar charging infrastructure is gaining traction in environments like brownfield sites, nuclear waste sites, and airports, where standard digging is not feasible.
The move to off-grid generation reduces bottlenecks created by a lack of spare capacity on the grid or delays in grid-tied infrastructure.
In the US, the federal government has moved to implement the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, launched on February 15, 2023, by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Biden Administration.
The program mandates the regulation of predictable charging (consistent plug types, power levels), reliability requirements (97% uptime minimum), Accessibility, and Plug & Charge capability – chargers must also meet Buy America standards with local manufacturing of most of the components.
The program’s full impact is expected to be felt in 2024, as states ramp up NEVI installations.
IDTechEx has found multiple electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) manufacturers are setting up domestic US manufacturing facilities to comply with the Buy America standard and reduce time to market as the US public charging market expands.
“These trends in the EV charging market are paving the way for a transformative future of electric mobility,” IDTechEx senior technology analyst Shazan Siddiqi wrote about the report.
“Witness the rise of faster and more efficient charging solutions, unlocking new possibilities for electric vehicle adoption on a global scale.
“The transition towards higher voltage architectures promises enhanced performance and reduced charging times alongside supportive regulatory initiatives that support the deployment of fast chargers.”