Europe’s shift to electric vehicles will require significant upgrades to electricity distribution networks, particularly in cities. A study presented at the Tomorrow Mobility World Congress estimates that adapting the networks to growing demand could require €24.7 billion by 2030, while smart charging could reduce that amount to €14.1 billion.
The report, Electricity Grids in Europe, was prepared by Siemens for EIT Urban Mobility, ChargeUp Europe and ACEA. It examines 64 cities across the 27 EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and projects that the number of battery-electric vehicles will be 3.8 times higher by 2030 than it is today. The growth will include vans, coaches and, increasingly, buses and logistics vehicles as well as passenger cars.
Smart charging systems can manage vehicle charging in near real time, allocating power according to the network’s available capacity. The study estimates that this approach could save €10.6 billion compared with a scenario relying solely on physical grid upgrades—a reduction of 43%.
Low-voltage networks account for 77.7% of the physical investment required, in part because home charging represents 38.6% of Europe’s electricity demand for electric vehicles. Roadside and urban charging together account for 27.3%. Without grid upgrades or demand-management systems, about 10% of Europe’s low-voltage network could exceed capacity during peak periods in 2030. All 64 cities covered by the study are expected to need some form of network reinforcement.
Investment needs vary by region. Central Europe accounts for the largest estimated requirement, at €15.4 billion, followed by the Nordic countries at €3.8 billion, Eastern Europe at €3.5 billion and Southern Europe at €2 billion. The study says smart charging could also reduce investment needs in Southern Europe by 43%.
The congress also discussed the role of public transport fleets in supporting electric mobility. Speakers cited the Amsterdam metropolitan area, where electrifying public transport has helped create economies of scale and infrastructure that can also benefit private users in surrounding communities. Price limits and flexible tariffs were raised as ways to make the transition more accessible.
Another session focused on electrifying freight transport. Electric trucks can have competitive operating costs compared with diesel when businesses have their own charging infrastructure and access to lower-cost electricity, but the upfront vehicle and charging costs remain a challenge, especially for small and medium-sized companies. Participants pointed to shared charging facilities, cross-company access agreements and cooperation between operators as ways to spread the investment. They also discussed charging solutions designed to avoid overloading the grid as infrastructure develops.
Sources: elDiario.es.