Smart EV Charging in Buildings: a key lever for accelerating EVs’ adoption

Electric vehicles (EVs) are already transforming and decarbonizing the mobility industry. This trend will only accelerate in the coming decades. A major roadblock that needs to be tackled to ensure that this shift substantially benefits society, however, is the question of EV charging.

A lack of ubiquitous charging infrastructure risks impeding the pace and success at which we transition to EVs. This is no small issue.

With 300 to 500 million EV connectors projected to be installed by 2040, getting EV charging infrastructure right will clearly be essential for building tomorrow's smart and decentralized energy system.

So far, most existing policies which address this challenge focus on the deployment of public charging infrastructure. This is despite it being anticipated that 90% of EV charge points will be installed in private settings: in our households and commercial buildings.

It's imperative to also evaluate the potential added value of deploying private smart EV charging technology.

The multiple benefits of smart EV charging in buildings

To assess this issue, the Schneider Electric ^TM Sustainability Research Institute has conducted a cost-benefit analysis of installing local smart EV charging technology in households, multi-dwellings, and commercial buildings.

Our research finds that, for consumers and system operators, the benefits of such an approach are striking. The results highlight that:

- On average, smart EV charging stations deployed in buildings are more affordable for consumers than equivalent public charging points.

- Smart EV charging can generate savings of up to 70% for consumers, especially when paired with time-of-use tariffs, demand charges, and the implementation of distributed power generation infrastructure (such as onsite solar). These savings can be further enhanced through the utilization of load management systems.

- The benefits of EV charging are magnified by the provision of grid and system services, with such provisions highlighting the value of having a fully smart and bidirectional charging strategy.

- Implementing smart charging technology in buildings increases the resilience of local and global grids, while also helping avoid the need for large, expensive associated infrastructure investments.

- Finally, the provision of smart EV charging in buildings, on average, reduces associated CO₂ emissions by more than public charging or uncontrolled charging, at the building level.

A thoughtful policy approach is required

The potential benefits are huge, but to realize them well-designed policies are needed. Our results demonstrate that governments and regulatory bodies should seek to ensure:

1. The promotion of EV charging at buildings, via the removal of all existing barriers.
2. A reduction in smart EV charging costs for consumers, via the implementation of time-of-use energy tariffs and the increased self-consumption of electricity generated via distributed generation.
3. Better access to grid and system services for electric vehicles to support the transformation of energy systems.

Smart EV charging is a major enabler of the decarbonization of transport, buildings, and global energy systems. But asides from this, when coupled with flexible sources and loads within buildings, it also has the potential to provide huge additional benefits for consumers and system operators.

This combination provides a more efficient and economically attractive proposition than centralized paradigms - and is an important first step towards the convergence of Mobility, Energy and the Urban transformation.

For the full details and results of the Schneider Electric ^TM Sustainability Research Institute's modeling of smart EV charging in buildings, click here.