Infrastructure for European Electrical Charging Still Falls Short of Excellence
In the heart of Europe, the Netherlands stands out as a pioneer in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. According to a recent article by Maarten Vinkhuyzen, published on Cleantechnica.com, the country has a high percentage of curbside chargers for overnight charging, making it easier for EV owners to recharge their vehicles.
Interestingly, over two-thirds of households in the Netherlands do not have their own driveway, making curbside charging a necessity for many EV drivers. This unique scenario has led to the author suggesting that having a private driveway is a condition for driving a plug-in vehicle in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands' commitment to EV adoption is evident in the top five cities leading in charging infrastructure availability compared to the rest of Europe. Four Dutch cities, including Amsterdam and Rotterdam, are in the top five, with London being the only city in between them.
However, the citizens of these four cities are not without their complaints. A lack of chargers in areas where they are needed has been a point of contention. The availability of charging infrastructure is primarily the responsibility of municipalities, and it seems that more needs to be done to address this issue.
The author also highlights that the transition to electric driving in most of Europe is still in its infancy. Norway, which boasts the most fully electric cars in Europe, faces less problems with charging in the Netherlands. About 95% of Dutch chargers (both public and semi-public) are AC chargers, making the process more accessible for a wider range of EV models.
The author's piece also touches upon the European Alternate Fuels Observatory (EAFO), an EU agency monitoring CNG, LNG, LPG, hydrogen, and electricity for transport. The author's home country, the Netherlands, is considered the world's charging paradise, but the ideal charging infrastructure for the future is still a topic of debate.
Some favour curbside charging in urban areas, while others argue for minimising the availability of chargers due to cost, grid demand, and visual pollution. One thing is certain, for electric driving to become the standard for all drivers, the availability of charging should become standard in all countries.
As voters, it's crucial to know the local politician's opinion on this topic for the transition to renewable transportation. The contribution of connected EV to grid stability through smart charging is another view that is gaining traction.
However, it's important to note that cities in European countries monitored in the Charge Point Monitor that rank lowest in the availability of street charging stations are not explicitly listed in the provided search results. Additional sources or the Charge Point Monitor data itself would be needed to identify these cities.
In conclusion, the Netherlands is leading the way in EV adoption and charging infrastructure, but there is still room for improvement. As more countries follow suit, the future of renewable transportation looks promising.
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