The electric car and the deployment of infrastructure, far from the 2030 target

Spain is far from meeting the European targets, as well as those set at national level by the PNIEC

Spain is far from securing the electricity market. Currently there are about 180,000 electric vehicles. The 2030 agenda requires 5 million electric vehicles between cars, vans, buses and motorcycles; of which,
about 3 million will be passenger cars. Realizing this park objective is only possible with a determined commitment from the electric vehicle market. This would mean that approximately 600,000 zero-emission vehicles would have to be registered annually in the next 8 years. Or, what is the same, its share increases from the 4.84% with which it closed the year 2021 to 40% in the year 2030.

Given the data and progress of recent years,
hard numbers. Notably until the second quarter, with a total of 38,124 electrified passenger cars registered, only 31.8% of the milestone of 120,000 units estimated by the Spanish Association of Car and Truck Manufacturers (Anfac) by 2022, reaching the targets set in the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) for 2030. To meet this target this year, almost 60,000 units should be sold by June.

The Achilles’ heel for the development of the electric mobility market in Spain
is the price and availability of use. Since the price differential can only be addressed through efficient and sufficient purchasing support, the other major stumbling block to be addressed is undoubtedly the availability of public charging infrastructure, both at urban and inter-urban levels.

And this hurdle hampers the development of electric mobility to the point that the Spanish market is one of the least developed of the major European countries. Even the figures are far from the target of 45,000 charging points that would be needed this year to meet the demanding European targets and, as a result, those at the national level by the PNIEC for 2030. And, spanning the geography of Spain, are only 15,772 public charging stations installed today.

In reality, it is a growth that is higher than in previous quarters, but still far from desirable and associated with slow loading. Only 17% of the public charging infrastructure in Spain corresponds to charging with a capacity of more than 22 kW. This figure implies a minimum charging time of 3 hours and a maximum of 19. At public charging points of at least 150 kW and less than 250 kW, there are currently only 131. “The use of charging points of at least 150 kW is essential to be able to use the electric car long distances by road, allowing for charging times between 15 and 27 minutes,” they warn Anfac.

“Spain is at the bottom compared to the rest of the main European countries. In order to improve our position, it is necessary to define binding public targets for the annual deployment and powers of the charging points and to realize a new charging station on public roads in less than six months. Also give preference to a positive load on the electric vehicle and simplification and standardization of the Moves III procedures,” concludes José López-Tafall, General Manager of Anfac.

In light of this, it should be noted that the charging stations “are not interoperable, i.e. most are for the exclusive use of passenger cars” as emphasized by the National Association of Companies in the Two-Wheel Sector (Anesdor). “A factor to consider when deploying the penetration of the electric vehicle fleet,” they add.

When it comes to charging electric motorcycles, the stakes are much smaller and slower. For example, without fixed data, Repsol has more than 230 charging points for electric cars and motorcycles available in parking garages, shopping centers, dealers, workshops and petrol stations. In cities like Madrid, charging points are starting to be installed in some motorbike parking lots and underground car parks.

The Spanish Federation of Personal Mobility Vehicles (FEVMP) estimates that there are approximately 3.5 million personal mobility vehicles (VMP) in circulation in Spain, 75% of which are electric scooters. The VMP also groups the ‘segway’, ‘hoverboard’ and unicycle, but it is the electric scooter that has been on the rise in recent years. This mode of transport is in the early stages of growth and for the time being, the DGT has presented a new regulation – it will come into force in 2024 – which must be followed in order not to pose a danger to traffic: do not use headphones or the mobile phone is running, not circulating on sidewalks, do not drive faster than 25 km/h or circulate under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Sanctions can be up to 1,000 euros.

The route is clear, as are the many benefits of a 100% electric car. They are cleaner, easier to drive, they give access to large cities and their car parks, less maintenance costs… But there are areas for improvement. At the moment, the vast majority of these vehicles reach a price above 40,000 euros, a threshold for a large part of consumers. According to 2018 data from the European Statistical Office (Eurostat), 64.9% of Spaniards live in flats, making it difficult to install a charging point at home, the most advantageous of this technology. Similarly, an electrical is devalued by 50% of its value -25% of a thermal.

Electric bicycle sales will be consolidated in 2021 by exceeding the threshold of 200,000 units sold for another year. Thus, the fleet of vehicles in Spain is close to 900,000 units, becoming the preferred electric vehicle for the Spaniards. In addition, 7 out of 10 electric bicycles are produced in the EU, “and create huge opportunities for our industry”, as outlined by the Association of Brands and Bicycles of Spain (AMBE). This change in the rules of the mobility game stems from the “trend to move healthier and more sustainably, which has a positive impact on society in economic, environmental and health terms,” they add.

According to the European Observatory for Alternative Fuels, there were only 40 pure battery electric trucks (BEV) -1,394 in the European Union at the end of 2021, for freight transport. But estimates suggest there will be 14,000 zero-emission trucks in Spain by 2030. Many European manufacturers are making important announcements about this. For example, Volvo has already started series production of 44-tonne electric trucks for the whole of Europe. Others, such as Renault, already have – and continue to innovate – a 100% electric range with models capable of carrying up to 3.5 tonnes.

The two-wheeler market already has 66,321 units -29,027 mopeds and 37,294 motorcycles, good for July 2022, according to the DGT. The future of mobility “goes through the electric vehicle, which is growing well, especially in the case of motorcycles,” they explain from Anesdor. “The growth data reflects a market penetration that is superior to other vehicles, especially in the smaller and urban motorcycle segments, where the benefits fully satisfy consumers and the classic barriers disappear,” they add. And while the infrastructure is still weak, they can be easily recharged at home, they are even removable batteries.

Source: La Verdad

Ida

I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.