Grid analysis reveals lack of essential condition for rapid EV market uptake

Grid analysis reveals lack of essential condition for rapid EV market uptake

ACEA — 2024-11-05

News from Brussels

The transition towards zero emission road transport in the EU is not only about increasing supply of zero emission vehicles. It requires a reinforced and resilient of the electricity grid, a substantial increase in of charging and refuelling stations, increased accessibility of charging, reduced costs of battery manufacturing, and the increased affordability of models to ensure this transition happens.

Unfortunately, almost all these key indicators are currently “off track” according to a study ‘Accelerating Change: Closing the Gaps in Europe’s Shift to Zero-Emission Vehicles’ by Transport & Mobility Leuven, commissioned by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).

The researchers looked at four main areas crucial for the transition – quality and readiness of the electricity grid, consumer perspective, recharging and refilling infrastructure, and the resilience of the battery value chain to assess to the progress of key indicators vis-a-vis the 2035 target of 100% CO2 reduction for all new vehicles.

Aside from the number of EV models made available by manufacturers, almost all categories are in the ‘red’ and ‘amber’ category, meaning that urgent action is needed if we are to overcome the bottlenecks that stand between Europe and our 2035 goals.

With year-to-date market share for zero-emission passenger cars in 2024 dropping, the European electrical grid lacking capacity, and the prices of energy, batteries, and critical raw materials remaining high, there continues to be high barriers to consumer buy-in.

You can consult the executive summary and the full study here: https://www.tmleuven.be/en/project/Gap-analysis-of-a-zero-emission-automotive-industry.