Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

This chapter focuses on the charging infrastructure required for electric vehicles to transfer electric energy from the distribution grid to the vehicle battery. It presents the current evolution in the field of the charging infrastructure, the problems involved faced during its development, and the ongoing standardization efforts in the field. Normal charging uses a power level corresponding to the standard power outlets typically available in residential installations whereas semi-fast charging uses current levels exceeding those of a standard domestic outlet, usually up to 22 kW, but which could be readily made available in a typical residential or commercial setting. For fast charging, higher power levels are used, which require specific infrastructure beyond standard domestic or industrial socket outlets, and where the charging can be performed with either a d.c. or an a.c. connection between the vehicle and the charging post. Inductive charging is defined as the transfer of energy from the supply network to the vehicle in an electromagnetic way and it uses a two-part transformer with the primary connected to the network and the secondary installed on the vehicle. Paddle type charging was introduced and extensively promoted by General Motors in the 1990s, in which secondary coils were arranged around a slot in the vehicle and the primary coil being a paddle was inserted in the slot. Battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles would also require charging infrastructure as they depend on the electric grid for their energy supply and since most plug-in hybrids are expected to be operated in electric mode. Various international standardization committees are working on the subject to come up with unified solutions, which will be a key factor in promoting the deployment of electrically propelled vehicles on a global level.