Overview
A suitable–that is, corresponding to the demand for e-mobility and the technical characteristics of electric vehicles–demand-oriented charging infrastructure is one of the essential conditions for a successful market ramp-up of electric mobility in Germany. Here, the electric range from PHEVs, REEVs, and BEVs, and additionally user behavior are central influence factors. At present, the numerous studies, expert opinions, and general work in the field of model regions and showcase projects, as well as additional projects on charging infrastructure buildup do not produce a uniform picture for forecasted charging demands. Questions about how much infrastructure and what type (charging mode, power input) should be available at which locations, how a facilitative regulation should be structured, and how the infrastructure should be operated, are open, and some will be controversially discussed.
The project recommendations for the buildup of charging infrastructure in the next few years, as well as the long-term strategy for the adjustment of this charging infrastructure, directly support the market ramp-up of electric vehicles in Germany. Thereby, the project results are directly related to current environmental, energy, and industrial-political objectives.
In addition, the project includes a methodological basis for future challenges in the planning sciences (e.g., transport planning). The assessment of infrastructure for alternative drive systems, such as charging infrastructure, is typically based on point forecast approaches (e.g., transport models, cost-benefit analysis), but such an analysis is not appropriate. The reasoning is that such approaches are highly uncertain and have varying decisive influence factors (e.g., drive technologies, range, pricing models). Suitable methods for the identification of needs and infrastructure assessment in this regard must therefore take into account the volatile nature of such influence factors. This puts robustness as a quality criterion in decisions to the fore (i.e., decisions taken should be sustainable for different possible future scenarios). The scenario analysis technique lends itself to the research as it is a methodology for identification of different consistent images of the future and thus to identify robust solutions. The project is led by the DLR Institute of Transport Research. The DLR Institute of Vehicle Concepts supports the project in the area of technology of vehicles and infrastructure. The Institute for Transport Studies a
The goal of the project is to develop a systematic, comprehensive, and consistent strategy for the buildup of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in Germany. The focus of the project is on short-term actions up until 2020. The reference point for the inventory of electric vehicles is taken from the Federal Government’s goal of having 1 million electric vehicles in Germany by 2020. Therefore, the work concentrates on the charging needs of passenger automobiles and light utility vehicles.
The core content of the study includes developing a methodology to derive the charging infrastructure needs and the identification of a robust charging infrastructure strategy. The robustness of the developed charging infrastructure strategy will then be discussed in a final dialog among critical stakeholders. Furthermore, the findings will be compared with charging infrastructure strategies of other countries.
Project phases:
- Electric vehicle fleet scenarios
- Assessment of usability and attractiveness of charging points per type
- Determination of the need for charging points for charging in everyday traffic
- Determination of the need for charging points for charging in long-distance traffic
- Charging infrastructure needs for special fleets
- Identify robust charging infrastructure strategies
- Calibrate the charging infrastructure strategy in a stakeholder process
- International comparison of charging infrastructure strategies