EVBoosters - Powering EV Charging Careers

As the EV Charging sector evolves, there is an increasing recognition that effective leadership must go beyond logical decision-making and technical expertise. A more human-centric approach, rooted in connection and empathy, is emerging as a critical component of successful leadership. https://lnkd.in/eFabtQ3K

The electric vehicle (EV) market is growing rapidly, driving demand for efficient charging infrastructure. At the core of this ecosystem lies the charge point management software (CPMS) market, which has become critical to managing the operation, billing, and integration of EV charging systems. Recent research by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), supported by data from Deftpower, reveals a dynamic and competitive landscape, where winners and losers have emerged over the past 18 months. >> By 2030, Europe is expected to have 38 million EV charge points, with home chargers dominating in number at 87% of the total. However, public and workplace chargers, representing only 6% of installed units, will account for 57% of the energy delivered to EVs. This demand highlights the importance of CPMS solutions, which enable efficient operation of these high-utilisation charge points. The European CPMS market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 21%, reaching €1,050 million by the end of the decade. >> The market has seen significant shifts recently, with some players seizing opportunities while others faltered. Successful providers like Player D, which increased its public charge points under management from 37.000 in 2022 to 61.000 in 2024, have focused on medium-sized operators and prioritised software innovation and customer service. Similarly, Player B’s strong independent software solution and flexible service model saw its coverage grow from 32.000 to 53.000 charge points. >> In contrast, some companies have struggled. Player A, once a leader with 41.000 public charge points, fell to 17.000 due to poor hardware integration and unclear strategy. Player F, despite acquiring third-party software, saw stagnation and a slight decline in its market share. >> The CPMS market remains fragmented, with even the top three players holding just 20% of the market. Success requires providers to innovate continuously, expand strategically, and align closely with customer needs. As Europe’s EV market grows, CPMS providers have an immense opportunity to shape the future of electrified mobility—if they can navigate the competitive pressures and evolving demands of the industry. Source: BCG #electricvehicle #electricvehicles #evcharging

The EV charging industry is growing, driven by the global shift towards sustainable energy and electric vehicles. As a leader in EV Charging, your ability to hire the right people can determine your organisation’s success—or its stagnation. While it's easy to get caught up in strategy, technology, or market dynamics, the foundation of all those efforts is a strong, capable team. This is why hiring is, unequivocally, the most critical job you’ll undertake as a leader. https://lnkd.in/eAc6sAPK

Europe’s automotive industry is at a turning point as the global transition to electric vehicles (EVs) gathers pace. A recent McKinsey study reveals that by 2035, this shift could alter the sector’s value by as much as €700 billion, depending on how well Europe adapts. The stakes are high: the automotive sector currently contributes €1,9 trillion to Europe’s gross value added (GVA), representing 8% of its GDP and supporting 5,5 million jobs. As electrification accelerates, it presents both risks and opportunities that could reshape the continent’s economy. >> In a disruptive scenario, Europe risks losing €400 billion in upstream GVA if its automakers fail to keep pace with global competitors. Emerging players, especially from China, are already leveraging lower costs, faster production cycles, and dominance in battery supply chains to capture market share. A reduction in domestic BEV market share to 45% by 2035, coupled with declining exports and increased imports, could further erode Europe’s automotive value. >> Alternatively, if European automakers implement ambitious strategies, they could contain GVA losses to €130 billion while generating €280 billion in downstream value from EV-related services and infrastructure. Achieving this would require significant investment in battery production, localisation of supply chains, and fostering partnerships between traditional automakers and new EV players. These measures could stabilise Europe’s competitive position and reduce reliance on external suppliers. >> The most optimistic scenario sees Europe fully capitalising on the EV transition, maintaining €1,1 trillion in upstream GVA and adding €300 billion in downstream value. To achieve this, Europe must retain its share of the domestic BEV market, enhance local production of key components, and develop digital vehicle services. Success would reaffirm the region’s position as a leader in automotive innovation. >> Challenges remain, including slow productivity growth, high energy costs, and regulatory hurdles. Addressing these issues through investment, collaboration, and streamlined policies will be crucial. With decisive action, Europe can secure its automotive future, leveraging electrification to drive economic growth and maintain global competitiveness. Source: McKinsey #electricvehicles #electricvehicle

The journey from startup to scale-up in the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry is both thrilling and challenging. As the demand for sustainable energy solutions grows, scaling an EV charging business requires not just technical innovation but also robust leadership. Leaders must navigate rapid growth, manage evolving demands, and maintain the vision that propelled the startup’s initial success. Subsequently, in this article we describe the 5 challenges you face when growing from startup to scale-up in EV Charging. https://lnkd.in/e64N6DHf

As electric vehicles (EVs) gain popularity, the reliability of public charging stations has become critical for widespread adoption. Kempower’s latest white paper sheds light on two essential metrics—charging success rate (CSR) and charger uptime—that measure the performance of EV infrastructure. These insights highlight the progress and challenges in making public EV charging seamless and dependable. >> Charging success rate reflects the proportion of successful charging attempts, focusing primarily on the session start, where failures are most common. Kempower achieves an overall success rate (OSR) of 84,6%, with technical and usability issues being the primary causes of failure. Charger uptime, on the other hand, measures the operational availability of charging stations. Kempower reports an impressive uptime of over 99%, ensuring its chargers are rarely out of service. >> Technical issues are relatively rare, with a technical success rate (TSR) averaging 94,3%. Common problems include plug-locking failures, vehicle communication errors, and charger malfunctions, often accounting for a small percentage of overall failures. Usability-related issues, however, are more prevalent, with a usability success rate (USR) of 91,2% among Kempower’s top-performing operators. These issues often stem from human error, such as forgetting to authenticate sessions, failing to connect the plug, or abrupt session stops. In fact, usability failures occur four times as often as technical ones. >> Kempower’s proactive approach to addressing these challenges involves leveraging its database of 13 million charging sessions. By monitoring performance through its ChargEye software, the company has reduced plug-locking failures by 10%, enhanced communication between vehicles and chargers, and helped operators simplify user interfaces to improve overall success rates. Collaboration with EV manufacturers has also led to vehicle recalls and software fixes, addressing EV-side issues. >> Kempower’s commitment to reliability is evident in its data-driven solutions and focus on user experience. With its chargers achieving a 99% uptime and ongoing efforts to improve usability and technical performance, Kempower is setting a high standard for the public EV charging ecosystem, ensuring drivers can trust the infrastructure supporting the transition to electric mobility. Source: Kempower | Visual source: The EV Universe #electricvehicle #electricvehicles #evcharging

EV batteries, which account for 20–30% of a vehicle’s cost, are crucial to the long-term economic feasibility of electric vehicles (EVs). Concerns about rapid battery degradation and diminishing residual value have long shaped public perception, raising doubts about the viability of used EVs. However, a new study by P3 Group challenges these concerns, revealing that EV batteries retain significant value and capacity over time. >> The analysis, based on data from over 7.000 vehicles, shows that most EV batteries retain more than 80% of their original capacity even after 200.000 kilometres. This longevity contrasts with earlier, more pessimistic estimates based on laboratory testing. While battery capacity decreases more quickly in the early stages due to chemical stabilisation, the rate of degradation slows considerably, with batteries following a near-linear decline thereafter. >> Battery ageing is driven by two primary factors: calendar ageing, caused by time and storage conditions, and cyclic ageing, influenced by usage patterns. High temperatures and prolonged storage at full charge accelerate calendar ageing, while moderate conditions—such as 10–50% state of charge (SoC) and cooler environments—help to slow it. Cyclic ageing can be managed by avoiding frequent fast charging, regularly cycling the battery within a 20–80% SoC range, and moderating driving habits. >> Beyond their first lifecycle, many EV batteries retain sufficient capacity for second-life applications, such as stationary energy storage. These repurposed batteries provide an economic opportunity, extending their value before eventual recycling. Even heavily aged batteries remain useful for recovering critical materials like lithium and nickel, ensuring they contribute to a sustainable circular economy. >> Manufacturers’ growing confidence in battery durability is reflected in extended warranties, with many offering coverage up to eight years or 160.000 kilometres, and some, like Lexus, going as far as 10 years or 1.000.000 kilometres. These warranties underscore advances in battery technology, including improved cell chemistry and thermal management. >> P3’s findings challenge misconceptions about EV battery ageing, showing that modern batteries offer remarkable longevity, substantial residual value, and promising opportunities for reuse and recycling. The future of EV batteries is brighter than ever, reinforcing their role in a sustainable transport landscape. Source: P3 #electricvehicle #electricvehicles #batteries #battery

The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating, with countries like those in the European Union (EU), Canada, and U.S. states like California aiming for 100% zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales by 2035. However, while EV adoption is growing, the development of a robust, equitable, and user-friendly public charging infrastructure remains a critical challenge. A recent ZEV Alliance report highlights three key factors shaping the EV charging landscape: availability, reliability, and interoperability. >> Charging availability varies widely across regions, often reflecting socioeconomic disparities. In Europe, wealthier countries like Norway have far more charging capacity than lower-income nations such as Poland, creating stark inequalities. Canada faces similar issues, with provinces experiencing higher unemployment rates often having fewer chargers. In the United States, although disparities are less pronounced, areas with higher populations of people of color in states like Massachusetts tend to have fewer chargers. >> Governments are responding with targeted policies to close these gaps. For example, California has prioritised investments in underserved areas, while Austria and the Netherlands have introduced programs to expand charging in rural and remote regions. Ensuring widespread access is crucial for encouraging EV adoption across all communities. >> While availability is essential, reliability determines whether drivers can trust chargers to work. Studies reveal that up to 25% of charging attempts in regions like California fail due to equipment malfunctions or payment system errors. Such issues risk frustrating drivers and deterring new EV buyers. >> Governments are tackling this by implementing uptime requirements. Federally funded chargers in the U.S. must meet a 97% uptime standard, while California mandates a 90% success rate for completed charging sessions. Similar measures in Europe aim to build user confidence in public infrastructure. >> Interoperability—allowing any EV to charge at any station—remains a challenge, especially in North America. Europe has achieved significant harmonisation with standardised connectors, while the U.S. is transitioning to Tesla’s North America Charging Standard (NACS). However, ensuring compatibility for older vehicles will be key during this shift. New regulations are also addressing fragmented payment systems by requiring open, universal options. >> As the report highlights, building a reliable, accessible, and interoperable charging network is critical to the EV transition. With targeted policies and collaboration between governments and industry, the vision of seamless, equitable EV charging is within reach. Source: ZEV Alliance #electricvehicle #electricvehicles #evcharging

As Europe accelerates its transition to electric vehicles (EVs), its charging infrastructure is evolving too. According to Gireve’s latest Beyond EV Charging report, the CHAdeMO charging standard, once a leader in fast-charging technology, is steadily losing ground to the Combined Charging System (CCS). The shift highlights a broader industry move toward standardisation and efficiency. >> Introduced in 2010, CHAdeMO played a crucial role in supporting early EV adoption. Its ability to deliver fast charging—up to 80% in about 30 minutes—made it a practical solution for long-distance travel. Japanese automakers, including Nissan and Mitsubishi, used CHAdeMO to enter the European market, with models like the Nissan Leaf. >> However, as CCS emerged offering comparable speeds and broader compatibility, CHAdeMO began to lose traction. While CHAdeMO connectors now support charging speeds up to 400 kW and remain popular in some Asian markets, Europe is increasingly moving away from the standard. >> Today, CHAdeMO accounts for less than 30% of connectors across Europe and fewer than 15% of new installations. Countries like France and Germany have deprioritised the standard, with France eliminating CHAdeMO requirements for public high-power stations in 2021. Instead, policymakers and operators are focusing on CCS, which offers a unified charging experience for drivers and manufacturers alike. >> Between 2017 and 2023, CHAdeMO installations grew at a modest 35% annually, compared to 80% for all connectors. By 2024, many operators, including Allego and Electrify America, had stopped installing CHAdeMO entirely. >> Charging points with CHAdeMO connectors are being used significantly less than their CCS counterparts. Gireve’s data shows CHAdeMO-equipped points see up to 85% less use. By 2024, CHAdeMO represented just 4,4% of total charging sessions across Europe. >> Despite this, some multi-connector stations still include CHAdeMO to support legacy EVs. However, the majority of new infrastructure focuses exclusively on CCS. >> CHAdeMO’s contributions to Europe’s EV market were critical, but its relevance is waning. While it retains niche appeal, particularly for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, the standard is expected to phase out in Europe. With CCS offering similar capabilities and becoming the preferred option, the shift reflects Europe’s push toward a unified, efficient charging network that supports the future of electric mobility. Source: Gireve #electricvehicle #electricvehicles #evcharging #CHAdeMO #CCS

Global electric vehicle (EV) sales are on track to reach 16,7 million units in 2024, up from 13,9 million in 2023, according to BloombergNEF (BNEF). While this marks a record-breaking year, growth has slowed compared to the rapid expansion of recent years. This more measured pace highlights the challenges facing the global EV market but also its continued resilience. >> The EV market’s growth rate has moderated from the explosive 60% surge seen in 2022 and the 33% increase in 2023. This year, sales rose by 26% in the first half and 30% in September. Countries like Germany and Japan have even seen declines, but these drops are often tied to specific circumstances. For example, Germany’s 61% sales plunge in August reflected a one-time rush in 2023 before subsidy cuts, skewing year-over-year comparisons. >> Europe is experiencing a temporary slowdown as automakers prepare for stricter 2025 CO2 regulations. Many are holding off launching affordable models until the new rules take effect, much like in 2019 before similar standards came into play. High prices remain a barrier. The Fiat 500e, for instance, costs nearly €12.000 more than its gasoline counterpart, making it hard for many consumers to justify switching to electric. >> China continues to dominate, accounting for 60% of all plug-in vehicle sales in 2024. EVs now make up more than half of China’s domestic vehicle market, with sales surging 50% in September alone. However, this growth is increasingly driven by plug-in hybrids rather than battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), which have grown more modestly at 18% this year. >> The United States is making steady progress, with EVs expected to surpass 10% of total vehicle sales in 2024. Tesla’s market share has fallen below 50% as automakers like GM, Hyundai, and Honda gain ground, driven by strong interest in models like Honda’s Prologue. >> The EV market faces challenges, including high costs, infrastructure gaps, and regulatory uncertainties. Yet, with stricter standards and affordable models arriving in 2025, another surge in sales is likely. For now, 2024 will be remembered as a year of recalibration, laying the groundwork for EVs to become a mainstream choice worldwide. Source: BloombergNEF #electricvehicles #electricvehicle