IHS Inc. : Electric vehicle charging stations set to soar by 2020 – IHS study

The number of electric vehicle charging stations is set to soar globally by 2020, supporting a shift in driving away from traditional petrol and diesel-fuelled vehicles, according to a new report from IHS, a leading global source of critical information and insight.

The report, compiled by IMS Research, recently acquired by IHS, estimates that the swing to electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) will lead to the installation of 10.7 million charging stations globally by 2020, up from 135,000 in 2011. 

"Sales of hybrid and electric vehicles are set to continue apace over the next 10 years. While volumes may not reach the levels imagined in the hype of 2009, it is clear that there needs to be charging infrastructure in place to support this change in mobility," says Alastair Hayfield, associate director at IMS Research, and the author of the report.

The growth in charging stations should help allay consumer concern about "range anxiety", which alongside vehicle price, is one of the major factors that impacts consumer sentiment about EVs.

The report "Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure - World - 2013" found that the largest concentration of EV charging stations would spring up in the US, China, Japan and Germany because these countries have strong domestic  carmakers that are pursuing electric vehicles, public and private investment in charging infrastructure, and comparatively strong government leadership with regard to e-mobility.

A variety of factors are contributing to the shift from the traditionally-powered vehicles to EVs and PHEVs, the report adds, including adoption of emission regulations by a growing list of countries; concerns surrounding energy security, energy price stability and climate change; and a population shift to urban areas. 

The factors most influencing the market are government and private investment and market demand for EVs and PHEVs, which will create demand for charging stations for these vehicles, the report said. 

Current and potential charging technology includes high voltage direct current (DC) charging stations - utilized in two fast DC charging technologies CHAdeMO and Combined Charger Systems (CCS); the development of battery switching operations and charging station networks; and the potential future development of inductive (wireless) charging. 

The report notes the existence of roadblocks to a global charging infrastructure system, particularly the existence of two distinct global standards for fast charging infrastructure: CHAdeMO and CCS.  A universal charging system would simplify the implementation of charging infrastructure, likely leading to growth in the industry beyond the current state of early adopters of EV and PHEV technology. However, there are signs this roadblock is lifting as a number of charging station manufacturers are starting to offer products that are both CHAdeMO and CCS compliant.

About IHS(www.ihs.com)

IHS (NYSE: IHS) is the leading source of information, insight and analytics in critical areas that shape today's business landscape. Businesses and governments in more than 165 countries around the globe rely on the comprehensive content, expert independent analysis and flexible delivery methods of IHS to make high-impact decisions and develop strategies with speed and confidence. IHS has been in business since 1959 and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, USA, IHS is committed to sustainable, profitable growth and employs 6,700 people in 31 countries around the world.

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