World EV Day: A Q&A with John Kovacs, Equans EV Solutions Interim Director
To celebrate the 5th anniversary of World EV Day, we spoke to Equans EV Solutions Interim Director, John Kovacs, to discuss what’s changed in the EV industry over the past five years and his predictions for the future.
Q: Reflecting on the past five years, how have the EV charging needs of clients evolved, and what have been the most significant changes?
A: Over the past five years, we’ve seen a major shift from experimentation to wide scale implementation of EV charging programmes. A few years ago, organisations were more hesitant, focusing on small pilot projects to gauge feasibility. However, as the benefits of electrification are becoming clearer and the ease of transition increasingly seamless, many organisations are scaling up and implementing solutions across multiple sites. This demands EV charging solutions that recognise and serve the unique needs of the business whilst maintaining critical operations.
Q: As businesses move from pilot phases to larger-scale EV rollouts, what challenges do they typically face in scaling their charging infrastructure, and how can they overcome these obstacles?
A: One of the biggest challenges is power. As charging infrastructure needs grow, so too does the need for greater on-site power capacity. When organisations scale up their EV operations, the power requirements may exceed current local capacity, necessitating upgrades or alternative energy management solutions. Another challenge is cost. Many organisations shy away from exploring larger roll-outs due to preconceptions about the Capex needed to deliver these programmes.
To overcome these obstacles, businesses should collaborate with an EV charging partner who can help them to understand exactly what they need and what their options are. At Equans, our consultative approach helps organisations to define and implement their long-term EV strategy. We create fully tailored solutions for our clients, recommending the right power solution for their specific needs, goals and budget. We are also uniquely positioned to offer flexible financing options, removing the requirements for large upfront capital investment and providing fixed monthly payments for financial certainty.
Q: With power becoming increasingly important in EV charging projects, what power solutions do you see being essential for future commercial charging projects?
As power demands increase, there will be a need for a blend of solutions, dependant on the charging requirements, operational needs, budgets and future plans.
Whilst there will always be a need for power upgrades for some projects - innovative solutions, such as active load management and smart charging, will increasingly play a role. Energy management will also become crucial, not just for managing consumption and capacity of EV charging infrastructure but managing this in the context of the entire site capacity. It is important to review how power is used and when, what are the external operating factors and can they be modified to facilitate the additional power requirements? By delving a little deeper, we can design the right solution that is sustainable and aligned to growth and future needs.
For businesses with large depots or office sites, renewable energy generation, such as solar, is becoming increasingly common. When combined with energy storage systems, these solutions can enhance efficiency and even deliver longer term cost savings. These technologies will not only support the growing power needs of an organisation, but will also future-proof its operation as their business scales.
Q: Looking ahead, what key trends do you anticipate and how should businesses prepare to stay ahead of the curve as they advance in their EV maturity?
A: A growing trend is the increasing demand for diversified charging technology on-site to support multiple vehicle types. For instance, organisations managing multi-vehicle fleets will likely need a combination of fast, rapid, and even ultra-fast charging solutions. By implementing a blend of charging technology, organisations can ensure that different types of vehicles—from light-duty to heavy-duty—can be charged optimally, thereby maximising uptime and operational efficiency.
To stay ahead, businesses should invest in developing flexible charging infrastructure that can evolve with their growing requirements. This includes planning for future expansions, such as accommodating new vehicle types or adding extra charging points, without necessitating a complete overhaul. Moreover, leveraging data analytics to optimise charging schedules and energy consumption will be vital. By considering future needs, businesses can ensure their infrastructure remains flexible and suitable of supporting long-term sustainability objectives.
Another likely trend is charger monetisation, which is the final stage of Equans’ EV Maturity Model. Organisations are likely to explore their network as a revenue source by enabling other organisations, or the public, to pay to use their charge points. We are already seeing trials of this within the industry. To ensure success, it will require learning from others and following best practice.
Q: How will Equans #DriveChange over the next 5 years?
A: At Equans, we make complexity possible, by leveraging smart technology, data and extensive industry expertise. Our ambition is to support organisations to develop a future-proofed EV charging strategy that will set them up for long term success. As challenges evolve and greater innovation is needed, we have the internal expertise and capabilities to remain ahead of the curve and ensure our customers are ahead of their competition, too. We commit to supporting all of our customers through their entire lifecycle of their charging infrastructure, helping them to develop their plans to 2029 and beyond.
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