As Europe accelerates the transition to electric mobility, the readiness of electricity grids is becoming a critical enabler of success. To better understand the challenges ahead, EIT Urban Mobility, organised in collaboration with ACEA and ChargeUp Europe, commissioned a study to Siemens assessing the impact of electric vehicle uptake on electricity grids across 64 European urban centres (population ≥ 500,000 inhabitant). The research examines the additional grid load expected from the electrification of light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, the implications for different types of cities, the flexibility solutions available to manage demand, and the regulatory and investment measures needed to support the transition.
The study shows that while significant grid investments will be required, smart charging and EV load management can substantially reduce reinforcement needs, cutting projected grid upgrade costs by around 44% by 2030. It puts forward a roadmap of recommendations covering smart charging deployment, metering infrastructure, grid investment, flexibility markets, vehicle to grid integration and consumer incentives. Following a short presentation of the study’s key findings and recommendations, at this Mobility Talks 34 we will open the floor for a debate with our speakers and participants to discuss what actions are needed at local, national and European level to ensure that electricity grids can best anticipate and adapt to vehicle electrification.
The panel of speakers includes:
- Hadrien Therond, from ChargeUp Europe
- Lucie Materra, from ChargeUp Europe
- Serge Letendre, from Powerdot
More speakers to be confirmed soon.