By: Mr. Anant Nahata, Managing Director, Exicom
Global use of electric vehicles (EVs) has increased significantly in recent years due to concerns over air pollution and climate change. According to the latest report, global electric vehicle sales in the third quarter of 2022 will increase by 71% year-on-year. In India, sales will increase from 320,000 to 1 million units in 2022, with the industry growing by more than 200% during this period (VAHAN data).
2023 is expected to be the most important year for the electric vehicle industry, with more mainstream customers switching to electric vehicles. However, a major challenge for EV owners is finding convenient and reliable ways to charge their vehicles.
Electric vehicle charging has traditionally been done at public charging stations or at home using a standard wall outlet. Public charging infrastructure is still under development, resulting in situations where users have to drive to charge vehicles, there are no compatible chargers, chargers are not available, etc. In addition, public charging requires users to stay at the charging point for 30-90 minutes, which is very inconvenient. The good news is that technological advancements are revolutionizing the personal EV charging space, making it easier and more convenient for individuals to charge their vehicles.
A major development is the use of a smart charging system managed by a smart app. These systems allow EV owners to schedule charging, set charging limits and monitor their charging progress remotely through a smartphone app. This helps optimize charging times and eases the load on the grid, and also reduces electricity bills by charging during off-peak hours. Smart charging systems can also communicate with the grid to automatically adjust charging times based on the availability of renewable energy, further reducing the environmental impact of EV charging.
User-friendly features like voice control also help reduce the fear of using these new technologies. With this, users can issue voice commands anytime anywhere. They can receive real-time updates directly on their phone screen to plan their route accordingly while saving battery and time. It will tell them how long it will take for the battery to fully charge so they can choose the fastest way to get from one location to another with a good chance of recharging.
Furthermore, as digitization takes center stage across industries, a digital experience from installing chargers to assisting with the charging process to addressing customer questions and resolving concerns will simplify the charging process and enable mainstream user adoption of EVs
Another technological advancement in the field of electric vehicle charging is the use of wireless charging systems. These systems use magnetic fields to transfer energy from the charging pad to the EV, eliminating the need for physical cables and connectors. This makes charging an EV as easy as parking on a charging pad, which is especially useful for those who don’t have easy access to traditional charging outlets. Anyone who has used wireless charging for their phone can attest to its convenience.
Finally, the use of renewable energy in EV charging is also increasing. For example, solar panels can be used to generate electricity to charge electric vehicles, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering the carbon footprint of owning an electric vehicle. Some EV charging companies are even offering green energy charging subscriptions, further encouraging the use of renewable energy in transportation.
Overall, technology is revolutionizing the personal EV charging space by making it more convenient, efficient, and environmentally friendly. If these technologies continue to develop and become more ubiquitous, we are likely to see more adoption of electric vehicles in the future.
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