New eCharge4Drivers project will enhance EV user experience at electric vehicle charging stations by offering improved services
17 June 2020 – Today sees the launch of the new eCharge4Drivers project. The project will deliver enhanced user experience at electric vehicle charging stations by offering new, improved services, helping to increase the attractiveness and convenience of EVs. Working with 32 partners across 11 European countries, eCharge4Drivers will bring together key stakeholders help to offer an enhanced EV charging experience and speed up the transition to electric vehicles across Europe.
Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) are increasing rapidly across Europe. However, drivers still often encounter problems in finding appropriate charging options, limiting the ease of use of EVs and potentially posing a barrier to increase the uptake of EVs.
eCharge4Drivers aims to substantially improve the EV charging experience within cities and for long trips. By capturing users’ perceptions and expectations on the various charging options and their mobility and parking habits, eCharge4Drivers will develop and demonstrate pilot projects in 10 areas across Europe, including metropolitan areas and Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) corridors. Charging stations in these areas will offer user-friendly and convenient functionalities for EV drivers of passenger vehicles, motorcycles and light vehicles, such as direct payment methods and bigger, user-friendly displays.
Dr. Angelos Amditis, eCharge4Drivers Project Coordinator and Research Director of ICCS, said:
“The eCharge4Drivers project brings together 32 of the most important European electromobility actors with the aim to develop appropriate solutions to significantly improve the overall user experience when charging electric vehicles, and thus promoting the wide adoption of electromobility, following the ambitions of the European Green Deal towards a zero-emission transport system.
“Through eCharge4Drivers, we are in fact improving the autonomy of the electric vehicles, a factor that plays a decisive role in EVs wider and more efficient deployment, while also facilitating the design and development of smart charging infrastructure and enhanced interoperable services, offering additional incentives for choosing to purchase an electric car.”
eCharge4Drivers will offer an enhanced experience for EV drivers by providing more sophisticated services to users before, during and after the charging process, including services for smart charging. The project will demonstrate additional convenient charging options within cities, a mobile charging service, charge points at lamp posts and networks of battery-swapping stations for LEVs.
Using the knowledge generated, the project will propose an EV Charging Location Planning Tool to determine the optimum mix of charging options to cover all user needs, as well as recommendations for legal and regulatory harmonisation, and guidelines for investors and authorities for the sustainability of charging infrastructure and services.
eCharge4Drivers was launched during an online Kick-Off Meeting, over two days from 16-17 June 2020. The consortium brings together 32 partners from 11 European countries.