The global electric vehicle (EV) market is on the rise, with more drivers choosing to make the switch to environmentally friendly transportation. It is anticipated that 11 percent of new vehicle sales by 2030 will be electric models boosting demand for charging points. Recent forecasts predict that there will be up to 40 million installed charging stations by 2030 (Source: GTM Research). According to the U.S. Edison Electric Institute, the U.S. alone will need more than 100,000 EV fast-charging stations and 9.6 million EV chargers (level 1 and level 2 chargers) by 2030 to meet the growing demand for EVs. In this blog post, we will examine how eSIM technology is helping to enable the global rollout of EV charging stations.
With the increasing number of EVs on the road, the need for reliable charging stations has become more important than ever before. However, many charging stations are not operational and according to J.D.
Power’s Electric Vehicle Experience Public Charging Study, quoted by Automotive News, almost 2 in 5 visits to chargers – or 39 percent – were unsuccessful in 2022. Another recent survey cited that, 21.4 percent of EV drivers reported being unable to charge their vehicles at public stations.
This is a major issue that needs to be addressed to meet global climate goals. Why do so many EV chargers not work? One factor that is contributing to this is the lack of reliable cellular connectivity.
Fortunately, eSIM technology is here to help. Major EV charging station OEMs are now shipping chargers worldwide with eSIM technology to take advantage of its flexibility that allows them to connect their chargers to any network worldwide, over the air. This not only reduces complexities with vendor management but also speeds up deployment and helps to save money.
This is especially critical at a time when major car manufacturers and governments are committing billions of dollars to the rollout of EV charging stations. For example, seven major automakers have banded together to create a new charging network in North America, with an eventual target of 30,000 high-powered charge points near urban and highway locations. The companies involved with the venture include BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes, and Stellantis, highlighting the importance of a reliable and efficient charging infrastructure.
So, what are the benefits of eSIM technology as it relates to EV charging stations?
First, it provides the reliability and redundancy needed for a robust and scalable network. With eSIM technology, charging station operators can switch between different networks whenever needed, ensuring that there is always a backup solution in case of network downtime or connectivity issues.
Second, eSIM technology simplifies the process of managing connectivity by eliminating the need for physical SIM cards or manual configuration. This helps to reduce complexity, streamline deployments, and lower costs.
Finally, eSIM technology enables global connectivity, making it easier for charging station OEMs to maintain a single, unified solution that can be deployed in multiple markets around the world. This helps to accelerate the rollout of charging stations and ensures that drivers have a consistent experience regardless of where they are.
The global rollout of EV charging stations is essential for meeting our climate goals and ensuring a sustainable future. However, connectivity issues have prevented many of these charging stations from being operational. With eSIM technology, charging station operators can ensure reliable and redundant connectivity, streamline deployment, and enable global connectivity. By leveraging the power of eSIM, we can create a robust and scalable charging infrastructure that will enable the widespread adoption of EVs and help to create a better future for all.