September 22, 2010
The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) over the next several years will be accompanied by a significant buildout of EV charging infrastructure including public, private, workplace, and residential charging equipment. A recent report from Pike Research forecasts that a total of 4.7 million charge points will be installed globally during the period from 2010 to 2015, however the cleantech market intelligence firm expects that the mix of charging station types will vary significantly by region. Unique among EV markets, the United States will be led by residential charging units, which will represent 64% of the country’s 974,000 charge points to be installed by 2015.
“Compared to the rest of the world, a greater percentage of U.S. electric vehicle owners will live in single-family homes,” says senior analyst John Gartner. “In Asia Pacific and Europe, where multi-family housing is more common, just 35% of charge points will be residential, and EV drivers will rely much more heavily on public or private charging equipment for their primary recharging locations.”
Gartner adds that North America will also see a higher percentage of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which require less charging infrastructure due to smaller battery packs and gasoline engines that extend their range. In addition, he says, utilities outside North America will more frequently serve as operators of public charging stations. These factors will result in a higher ratio of charging equipment to electrified vehicles in Asia Pacific and Western Europe, compared to the United States and Canada.
Pike Research’s study, “Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment”, analyzes technology and business issues related to the buildout of EV charging infrastructure in global markets. It examines the market for residential, public, private, and workplace charging stations as well as reviewing the key operational and technological impacts of plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles on the grid. Analysis includes an in-depth assessment of market drivers and barriers, along with profiles of charging infrastructure vendors and utilities. Detailed forecasts for EV charging equipment are included through 2015. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website.
Pike Research is a market research and consulting firm that provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. The company’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Smart Energy, Clean Transportation, Clean Industry, and Building Efficiency sectors. For more information, visit www.navigantresearch.com or call +1.303.997.4619.