The uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) has soared in recent years (albeit from a very low base), with jurisdictions such as Norway and The Netherlands currently leading the pack. However, in order for a country to become a global EV leader, it is vital to consider all aspects of EV adoption, from regulatory frameworks which endorse the rollout of EVs, to the speed and availability of charging infrastructure (including interoperability), as well as incentives for companies and consumers.
The growth in EVs presents a number of opportunities for investors, the most significant of which are projected to be in public EV charging networks and corporate fleets. There are a number of pathways opening up for the deployment of EV infrastructure. At present, it is unclear as to which business model(s) will succeed, with diverse range currently being pursued by charging infrastructure providers and investors, each of which has different approaches in terms of revenue streams, demand risk, location and speed of charging.
The future of charging infrastructure is just around the corner, with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as BMW and Vauxhall already launching EV models that can be powered wirelessly.
In addition, the use of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles may provide an alternative, once the technology is more commercially mature, with developments in hydrogen refuelling technology underway in California, China, Germany, Japan and South Korea.
This report is one of four supplements, expanding on the findings of our 2018 Connected Future report and our 2017 CMS Infrastructure Index. The 2019 Infrastructure Index will be available at the end of 2019.
