Tripling of electric car models is a big boost for destination charging

Reports that the number electric car models will triple within two years should fuel rapid expansion of the destination charging market for businesses.

The European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E) forecasts that 214 electric car models will be available in 2021 up from 60 models at the end of last year.

With this increased range of choice and price points, UK consumers should switch from petrol and diesel cars sooner than previously predicted, rapidly reversing the current slight slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) adoption

This will give a big boost to the destination charging market and companies that provide these services, will gain new revenue streams, attract new customers while boosting brand awareness and loyalty.

Charge points

New EV owners will be looking for charge points and are willing to pay for convenience and ease of access. Hospitality groups and many other sectors can bring in further revenues while also increasing the time customers are in their premises (with further opportunities to provide other services).

The environmental lobby group report, based on data by research firm IHS Markit, indicates that car makers are finally fully gearing up for vehicle electrification

Assuming the plans are rolled out, 22% of vehicles being produced could have a plug by 2025. This will be more than enough to comply with the EU Car CO2 standards recently agreed – minimum of 15% in six years’ time.

T&E analysis shows that the production of electric vehicles in Europe is expected to multiply six-fold between now and 2025, reaching more than four million cars and vans, or more than a fifth of the EU car production volumes.

EV range

The EV range is broad to suit all budgets and preferences, from the “world’s most sustainable car”, the Nobe 100, to models from all major manufacturers and the luxury sports sector, with Lotus planning a £2 million all-electric “hypercar”, the Evija, capable of more than 200mph (322km/h).

Last Friday, Toyota announced an agreement with Chinese EV specialist BYD to jointly develop a new range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) – sedans and low-floor SUVs. This is significant because previously it had focused much of its green car development efforts on hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell models.

EV manufacturing will steadily replace diesel-engine manufacturing across Europe, with the biggest production centres in Germany, France, Spain and Italy.

Slovakia is forecast to be making the highest number of EVs per capita by 2025. Czech Republic and Hungary will also be significant production centres.

Battery plants

At the same time, 16 large-scale lithium-ion battery cell plants are confirmed or due to begin operations in Europe by 2023. The confirmed plans will deliver up to 131 GWh of battery production capacity, according to data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.

This is more than enough to meet demand of 130 GWh from EVs and stationary storage batteries across Europe in four years’ time. And the EU’s Joint Research Centre estimates that expanded battery manufacturing will create around 120,000 jobs.

Lucien Mathieu, transport and emobility analyst at T&E, said:

“This is a pivotal moment for Europe’s automotive industry. Carmakers are investing €145 billion in electrification, and battery making is finally coming to Europe. Success in this area is a top EU industrial priority. We need to send a clear signal to industry that there is no way back, and agree a phase-out of petrol and diesel car sales in cities, at national and EU level. The age of the combustion engine is coming to an end.

 “Thanks to the EU car CO2 standards, Europe is about to see a wave of new, longer range, and more affordable electric cars hit the market. That is good news but the job is not yet done. We need governments to help roll out EV charging at home and at work, and we need changes to car taxation to make electric cars even more attractive than polluting diesels, petrols or poor plug-in hybrid vehicles.”