3 Major Challenges EV Charging is Facing Today
Electric vehicles have seen a significant push in terms of the future of mobility. While the focus has mostly been on battery packs and vehicles, other areas in their wake are becoming increasingly important.
In this post, Christopher Dickens, Global Market Manager Mobility at Saint-Gobain® Tape Solutions, highlights the current challenges, particularly for the charging infrastructure, that the transition to battery-powered electric mobility is currently facing, and how new materials can assist on the path to success, helping to avoid the immediate stress caused by a little red warning sign reading “battery empty” in the middle of nowhere with the children in the back seats.
In the past, batteries were a limiting factor, but tremendous progress has been made in recent years to make electric vehicles (EVs) safer and travel further, and we are not seeing the end of this journey. The power density of battery packs will continue to increase, allowing for lighter and longer-range vehicles.
However, the rapidly growing number of EVs on the roads creates new challenges in other areas such as raw material supply, end-of-life management, power supply, or EV charging infrastructure.
Standardisation and the creation of a robust network of charging stations suitable for various systems is a significant challenge in the transition to battery-powered electric mobility. The rapidly increasing number of EVs requires reliable access to charging options not only along roads but also in car parks, at home, in cities, rural areas, and workplaces.
This leads to a second challenge, as more EVs requiring charging create new demands for energy generation, transformation, storage, and transportation. This is closely linked to a third challenge: the need for faster charging.
Fast charging necessitates higher voltage and current, and charging stations, components, and the grid must be equipped to endure high electrical, thermal, mechanical, and environmental stresses.
This leads to a second challenge as more EVs that need to be charged create new demands for energy generation, transformation, storage and transportation. This is closely linked to a third challenge: The need for faster charging.
Fast charging requires higher voltage and current, and charging stations, components, and the grid need to be prepared to withstand high electrical, thermal, mechanical, and environmental stresses.
There are many ways tapes can help address these challenges. Firstly, they can help optimise the performance and safety of battery packs. Such high-end materials reduce the need to charge or enable new generations of high-performance electric motors, making EVs even more efficient. Transferring this knowledge can have a significant impact in another area: The creation of highly efficient Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in modern energy grids.
When considering the bigger picture, special tapes are utilised in all major areas to enhance the overall performance of the power supply — from tape solutions for more efficient renewable energy production, highly durable tapes to optimise the performance of transformers, motors or generators, to BESS that improve grid stability even when EVs are charged during the day and at peak hours by compensating for periods with reduced power from renewable energy sources.
Minimising the time to charge EV batteries is a major challenge as rapid charging puts high electrical and thermal stress on components. Special tapes increase part protection and therefore not only allow the use of higher voltage and current to reduce charging time but significantly improve safety, performance and longevity of EV charging equipment, cables, connectors and sensitive components.
But ensuring optimal functioning with regards to high voltage is only one aspect where tapes can make a difference. Most charging stations are located outdoors, and tapes are key in ensuring reliable performance and reducing maintenance efforts by protecting from moisture, dirt, temperature, chemicals or harsh environmental influences. These materials can help to install charging stations even in challenging environments and thus contribute to nationwide supply and availability.
EVs are changing the landscape of mobility worldwide but there are various challenges to be solved before they can fully replace combustion-powered vehicles. Besides battery packs, reliable availability of EV charging networks, power supply and rapid charging are becoming increasingly important focus areas. Before reading this post, did you think that small pieces like tapes could have such an impact on trouble-free electric mobility and reduced stress levels on your next trip?