The first copy of the latest ElaadNL publication ‘Guide to Smart Charging Solutions’ was presented to Maria Linkova-Nijs of ACEA (The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association). The presentation of the first copy took place on June 18 at the International Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition EVS 38 in Gothenburg (Sweden).
The ‘Guide to Smart Charging Solutions’ is the successor of the Smart Charging Guide that was published in 2019 on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of ElaadNL. The first copy of that Guide was sent to the Dutch minster of Foreign Affairs, Sigrid Kaag, who received it on the first Dutch virtual trade mission to the US in 2020.
Maria Linkova-Nijs happily accepted the first copy and emphasized the importance of smart charging: ‘Smart charging is more than technological innovation — it’s a cornerstone of the sustainable mobility transition. At ACEA, we believe that intelligent, flexible charging solutions are key to maximizing the benefits of electric vehicles: reducing emissions, balancing the grid, and making clean transport accessible and convenient for all. By advancing smart charging together, we are laying the foundation for a resilient energy future and a cleaner, smarter Europe.’
A lot has happened in five years in the world of (smart) charging electric vehicles: the growth of electric passenger cars and charging infrastructure, the increasingly urgent problem of grid congestion, more knowledge about smart charging, important developments with respect to vehicle to grid, the start of the large-scale roll-out of grid-aware charging throughout the Netherlands and the arrival of the first e-trucks, public transport busses, mobile electric construction equipment and matching heavy-duty vehicles charging infrastructure. In this new Guide, attention is paid to all these developments, with a focus on the Dutch situation. Due to good cooperation between (local) governments, researchers, grid operators and companies, the Netherlands leads the way in a number of respects. ElaadNL hopes to inspire others, but we also like to learn from other countries. As the saying goes: together we go further.
The original Guide was the first publication that listed all elements of smart charging in an accessible manner. The new Guide is 176 pages thick, richly illustrated and contains, in addition to the main story about the (smart) charging of electric vehicles, many side steps to matters related to charging electric cars and descriptions of interesting innovations and projects. The publication ends with a list of recommendations. What should be on our smart charging to do list?
With smart charging, the speed and timing of charging electric cars can be adjusted using smart technologies. Charging can be at maximum rate if there is a lot of power from sustainable sources such as sun and wind and may be reduced or even stopped if there is a peak in the power demand, thus preventing overloading of the grid. One step further is even using the car to provide extra power to the grid when the demand is high (vehicle to grid). This way, we can ensure that in the near future millions of electric cars will be charged without any problems and in a sustainable manner. This makes it an essential step in addressing the global climate crisis.
The electric car poses not only a major challenge from a grid perspective (how do we provide millions of cars with electricity?), but also an important part of the solution: electric cars are basically big batteries on wheels! If we make smart charging the standard, we can make optimal use of the power grid and also accelerate the transition to local sustainable power from sun and wind. Add to that the potential of electric cars to serve as mobile energy storage; not just for getting from A to B, but also for powering homes and businesses. It becomes increasingly clear that electric vehicles, and the way we charge them, play a crucial role in the energy transition we so urgently need.