POLIS and members contribute to newly published World Economic Forum White Paper
Electrification of road transport will be a key enabler of the European Green Deal. While the share of electric vehicles (EVs) is on the rise, many cities are struggling to develop publicly available charging infrastructure at a pace that meets increasing demand.
POLIS, as well as POLIS members Madrid, Rotterdam, and London, have shared their insights in the World Economic Forum's recently published White Paper 'Scaling Investment in EV Charging Infrastructure,' which aims to provide a strategic policy roadmap for city governments addressing this challenge.
As urban populations grow, the EV transition will predominantly occur in cities. Establishing a cohesive charging network is vital and is now a key aspect of the EU's Fit for 55 initiative (recently translated into the European legal framework with AFIR and EPBD). However, city governments face challenges, such as limited regulatory authority and financial resources. As the number of EVs grows, so must the network of publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure, to ensure a seamless transition and reduce the "range anxiety" from drivers.
Despite these obstacles, city governments are at the forefront of the expansion of EV charging infrastructure. Either by operating their infrastructure, or by establishing partnerships and cooperation with the private sector including charge point operators (CPOs), fleet operators, and grid operators (DSOs/TSOs), cities can accelerate the shift to EVs and build comprehensive charging networks.
The paper highlights the importance of public-private collaboration in creating strong and resilient charging networks. It focuses on four key action areas:
- Strategic planning
- Policies and regulations
- Data management
- Grid capacity and access to electricity
It outlines key interventions that city governments can implement to cultivate a favourable environment for EV infrastructure investment and deployment.
For more information on the White paper, you can check WEF's website here.
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