The European Union achieved a significant milestone last week in promoting sustainable transportation across Europe. According to the European Alternative Fuels Observatory (EAFO), a total of 500,000 EV charging points have been installed within the EU.
This achievement demonstrates the EU’s strong commitment, along with its Member States, to the decarbonization of the transportation sector. Among the countries leading in EV charging infrastructure are the Netherlands, France, and Germany.
Now, let’s delve into the functioning of these charging points. Public charging options are available in two formats: alternating current (AC) charging points and direct current (DC) charging points.
Here’s a breakdown of the numbers:
– AC Charging Points: 455,902
– DC Charging Points: 56,437
AC and DC charging serve distinct purposes and operate differently.
DC charging points are primarily designed for rapid charging. They are strategically located along highways to facilitate quick breaks for drivers undertaking long trips. DC charging allows them to resume their journeys promptly.
While DC charging offers faster charging times, it comes with higher initial costs, which operators often pass on to consumers through elevated energy prices compared to AC chargers.
AC technology is more suitable and convenient for daily commuting and regular travel, which explains the higher concentration of AC chargers available.
[source: AVERE]
