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MAKING EV INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABLE ASHRAF YEHIA, MANAGING DIRECTOR, EATON MIDDLE EAST, TELLS US HOW THE DEMAND FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE IS GROWING AND HOW IT CAN BE COST EFFECTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE FOR PROPERTY OWNERS AND LEASEHOLDERS 30 | LOGISTICS NEWS ME | JULY 2021
utomobiles have come a long way from the hand crank engines of the early 20th century. These days you can remote start an engine or schedule an autonomous start and stop, open car doors, and maintain internal temperatures using a mobile application. More drivers are choosing to use electric vehicles across the UAE and in the Middle East. The rise in popularity can be attributed to the dropping cost of EVs in the past five years. Other reasons include the rockstar status of Elon Musk, who is considered as the poster boy of EV, and the support of various regional incentives such as free charging, free parking, reduced electric vehicle registration fees, and exemption from Salik tag fee. Keeping up with the trend, all major automobile manufacturers have plans for EV or plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) across configurations such as sedan, SUV, and crossovers. Soon, customers would be spoilt for choice for electric or hybrid cars. These initiatives stem from the emirate’s efforts to provide innovative and sustainable transport solutions as part of the Dubai Green Mobility Strategy 2030, thus contributing towards carbon emission reduction in the transportation sector. These, coupled with a stronger desire among users to use a vehicle with a far less damaging impact on the environment, have led to increased electric cars in the region. Whatever the reason, the demand for EV charging facilities is rising fast, putting pressure on commercial buildings to provide EV charging infrastructure (EVCI). Public and private sector investment in EVCI is needed, which could be challenging in the post-Covid world. Still, the good news for property owners and leaseholders is that EVCI can be provided sustainably and cost-effectively. At the same time, this rise in demand will also put existing electrical infrastructure and the grid under pressure, with intermittent loading without viable control processes. Why commercial buildings? Traditional vehicle owners have access to petrol stations to fuel their vehicles and do so within minutes. For EV owners, their car needs to be plugged in for several minutes up to six to eight hours depending WWW.CBNME.COM
