E-Mobility and Charging Networks

Changing government policies concerning decarbonisation targets in the mobility sector and the transition towards zero carbon transport lead to many challenges and opportunities for new and existing companies in the sector. AFRY is uniquely placed at the intersection between technology, engineering and market knowledge to support clients in this transition.

While the EV revolution is met with mostly positive attitudes, there are challenges that need to be overcome on the way to zero carbon transport:

• The growth of electro mobility requires investment in charging infrastructure. However, the pace of growth and type of infrastructure needed is uncertain.
• Additional electricity demand from EVs creates a challenge for electricity networks.
• Vehicle charging infrastructure is a new type of network. We advise our clients, in both the private and public sectors, on new market design and regulations.

As the e-mobility sector grows rapidly, new opportunities are created for companies to profit from diversifying revenues. Our unique combination of engineering, commercial and economic knowledge allows us to advise clients on e-mobility from all aspects:

• We are helping electricity suppliers optimise their offering for electric vehicle owners, analysing a wide variety of possible business models with different revenue streams. In order to evaluate the future developments of the EV market, we use our transport sector model, move to provide analysis of scenarios which can help our clients avoid stranded investment.
• We are supporting charging point developers and operators understand the economics and regulatory aspects of their business:
  • providing strategic advice on location and business models;
  • providing planning advice for charging networks; and
  • providing engineering services and installing equipment on-site.
• We advise wide a range of clients, including electricity suppliers, grid companies, EV charging companies, fleet operators and other service companies on the role of EV batteries in balancing and grid services markets. We use our transport (move) and electricity (BID3) models in conjunction to analyse the impact of EVs on the electricity grid.
• Together with our transactions practice, we advise on M&A in the sector, providing commercial and technical due diligence on charging networks, battery schemes, etc.
• We provide studies for governments, regulators and regulated companies, investigating for example the socio-economic impact of the electric vehicle roll-out itself, or different market design options with regards to electricity and EV charging networks.
• We advise municipalities and local councils on strategies to drive growth in charging infrastructure, e.g. public vs. private investment or the regulatory environment.