Ownership and operation of public charging stations

Overview of the status and impact of the innovation

Innovation 2

What

Public charging infrastructure is crucial for increasing the use of EVs. The main barrier is its high initial investment cost, but innovative business models for ownership and operation are emerging. These include gas stations adding EV chargers; EV chargers managed and owned by energy retailers, DSOs or charging point operators; and commercial businesses expanding their business by adding EV chargers. Charging stations can be owned by technology companies, utilities, governments, municipalities or other retailers.

Why

Innovative approaches for the ownership and operation of public charging stations will make public charging far more accessible, enabling faster adoption of EVs.

BOX 3.27 Commercial businesses with EV chargers, advertising on chargers and on-demand charger installation

Kirana Charzer, an Indian start-up, offers a compact charging station that is accessible via a mobile app. The charging station, which is powered by Internet of Things, can be hosted by shops or restaurants, providing them with additional income, while also extending the EV charging infrastructure (Dash, 2020).

Digital billboards on Volta chargers throughout the United States provide extra revenue to offset the cost of infrastructure and charging (Volta, 2022).

On its website, the city of Saint Etienne, France, asks drivers where they want public chargers; this enables the city to install chargers where they are most likely to be used, thereby strengthening its business case further.

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