Charging electric cars is very simple indeed these days. Even simpler than charging ordinary battery–powered electronic devices, in actual fact. Customers are now enjoying the fruits of the lengthy standardisation work done by the e-mobility world, which has always favoured solutions that can be widely shared and open communications protocols. There are now worldwide standard connections for both direct and alternating current too. That is no mean feat, given that when we travel in everyday life, we have to deal with different plugs, cables and adapters for our cell phones.
The second enormous advantage of electric mobility in terms of user-friendliness is that the vehicle and the network talk to each other. The platform that connects the stations and manages the charging services is a smart tool. Enel’s in particular uses algorithms which ensure that you charge your car using the most economic rates depending on the time of day or the availability of power from the grid. So, after years of work, we are making charging services available that adapt to customers’ needs, both in terms of cost and availability of power. All using an app that makes the user experience simple and gratifying.
Naturally enough, the charging infrastructure exists on the market because the cars exist: the technology adopted by the car makers also drives our investment, in part at least. This is why companies of the likes of Enel X and electric vehicle manufacturers work very closely together from the design phase onwards.
Power availability at charging stations must match the power of the cars. Grid capacity is not an obstacle, however. Planning can size it and adapt it to demand. Until just two years ago, 150 kW columns were the state of the art when it came to rapid and ultra-rapid charging. Over the next few years, however, 350 kW out-of-town stations will be the norm (Enel X is already testing them). They’ll offer even faster charging, a far longer range and a user experience very similar to that of a conventionally-engined car. Charging times and range are the two factors deciding the success of the new-generation vehicles: battery innovation is what will make the difference.
