Unlike internal-combustion engine vehicles, which generally only refuel at service stations, EVs can recharge at multiple locations. E.g. residential charging stations, commercial charging stations.
Residential charging will depend on whether EV owners have suitable facilities to park and charge their car and on driving habits.
People do not only use their EVs to commute. Approximately 3 to 6 percent of total kilometres driven involve long-distance trips that more than 200 kilometres. Even with a full charge leaving home, most of EVs in market cannot make that round-trip with single charge. This makes the case for commercial EV charging stations. (1)
In the European Union, as EVs go mainstream, charging will likely shift toward in commercial EV charging stations and away from residential charging stations over time, with the share of residential charging declining from approximately 90 percent in 2019 to about 70 percent by 2030.
In the light of the information above, it is estimating that Australian EV charging station trend would likely be similar to the global sector. In fact, the upwards trend has been more dramatic in Australia. The number of commercial charging stations increased by 143% between June 2018 and July 2019. Since 2017, the number of commercial chargers has increased by over 400%. This rapid increase is attributable to strong investment from the private sector. (2)
The number of commercial charging stations will be important, but so too its availability. Easily accessible commercial AC charging points in urban centres will be needed for those lacking residential charging stations; and commercial DC fast and DC ultra-fast chargers will be needed for people travelling long distances. (3)
- https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/automotive-and-assembly/our-insights/charging-ahead-electric-vehicle-infrastructure-demand
- electricvehiclecouncil.com.au STATE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES AUGUST 2019
- https://www.deloitte.com The opportunities around electric vehicle charge points in the UK
