One thing is clear: as electric vehicle technology continues to evolve, charging infrastructure must evolve at the same rate to keep up.
The Delhaize car park in Wondelgem will soon receive an electrical impulse because three new charging stations will be installed there. Provider Electra was given the green light to convert seven parking spaces into six spaces exclusively for electric vehicles. This is just the beginning of a larger collaboration between Electra and Delhaize. The supermarket chain has plans to facilitate around 1.800 (fast) charging points in their parking areas.
The Delhaize in the Botestraat will also soon have these facilities. These charging points are not only open to Delhaize customers, but can also be used by local residents. That is a welcome addition, as public charging stations are still a rarity, despite the growing need.
The growth of electric driving is undeniable and the infrastructure will have to adapt. Collaborations like the one between Delhaize and Electra are a step in the right direction, but there is still a long way to go to meet the growing need.
In recent years, the electric car revolution has continued at a rapid pace. Consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of traditional fuel vehicles and are looking to more sustainable alternatives. Governments around the world provide subsidies and tax breaks to encourage the purchase of electric cars. Yet the infrastructure for charging solutions is not yet on par with the increasing demand.
A collaboration model between different stakeholders – municipalities, utilities, real estate developers and companies such as Delhaize can ensure a more efficient implementation and distribution of charging stations.
In the urban areas where you would expect a higher density of charging points, EV drivers complain about the lack of available charging points. And when they find a charging station, it is often occupied. However, the rise of electric cars has also led to some tension in residential areas. Concerned residents object to the arrival of charging stations, mainly because of the increasing parking pressure. This highlights the importance for cities to formulate policies, permits and financing for private charging solutions.
recreation
The problem is not only limited to residential areas, but also in holiday parks. Recreational entrepreneurs are noticing the growing demand, but are lagging behind. Holidaymakers who drive electric often try to save costs by 'just' plugging their car into the socket of their holiday accommodation. Although this is free for the tourist, it entails extra costs for the entrepreneur. Moreover, their electricity networks are not always designed for it. There is a clear need for more charging points in holiday parks and other recreational areas.
overload
Another point of concern is the overloading of our electricity network. Initiatives such as We Drive Solar try to address this with bi-directional charging. This means that electric cars can not only absorb electricity, but also supply it back. In this way, cars can store excess energy from solar panels during the day and return it to the grid or homes in the evening. This not only reduces network congestion, but also offers car owners financial benefits.
education
There is also a clear need for education. Many people are still unfamiliar with the nuances of electric driving and vehicle charging. It is crucial that they understand how charging systems work, the benefits of bi-directional charging, and why simply plugging their cars into a regular socket is not ideal, both for safety and grid efficiency.
