Notizie aziendali

What are the risks of EV charging station investment?

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25,

2025

With the global rise of new energy vehicles, commercial electric vehicle charging stations have become a crucial form of infrastructure. While their future appears bright and full of opportunities, many EV stations are actually struggling to survive. The various reasons and patterns of their failures should be carefully studied and analyzed to prevent others from repeating their mistakes. If you are interested in EV charging station investment, don't miss this opportunity!

EV Charging Station Investment Risk One: The Illusion of User Traffic

Caso di studio: A European operator installed 20 DC fast charging stations in the rooftop parking lot of a large suburban shopping mall. They optimistically predicted that shoppers would naturally become charging users. Tuttavia, the reality was that these customers preferred to charge in the city center rather than search for charging stations in the complex commercial area. They didn't want to waste valuable leisure time looking for EV charging stations. In definitiva, this resulted in a daily utilization rate of less than 5%, making the expensive DC charging equipment a poor investment.

Analysis: Site selection is undoubtedly the primary factor in building a DC charging station, but high traffic volume does not necessarily mean high charging demand. The following site selection pitfalls are particularly fatal:

1. High Traffic Volume but Low Charging Demand: Parking lots at train stations and airports may appear busy, but most vehicles are only used for passenger pick-up and drop-off, with short dwell times, resulting in low charging intentions.

2. Poor Accessibility: EV charging stations located deep within parking lots, with weak GPS signals, or with complex entrance routes may deter potential users.

3. Mismatch between scenario requirements:

Residential areas: Prioritize providing slow AC chargers for nighttime use, rather than DC fast charging stations.

Autostrade: Deploy DC fast charging stations every 50-80 chilometri, avoiding the installation of slow charging stations that require long wait times.

EV Charging Station Investment Risk Two: Limited Power Supply

Caso di studio: A US operator built an electric truck charging station in a logistics park. Because the park was in its early stages of construction and many tenants had not yet moved in, the existing transformer capacity was sufficient, so the fast charging station was directly connected to the park's power distribution room. Tuttavia, as the park's occupancy rate increased, overall power demand surged. The park management began to face power shortages and started charging the fast charging station extra fees. In definitiva, frequent power outages and high additional fees forced its closure.

Analysis: Electricity is the lifeblood of EV charging stations. Relying on shared power sources, rather than owning a dedicated transformer or signing a clear agreement, means that the company's survival may be held hostage by others. Ensuring a sufficient and stable power supply is one of the biggest challenges, especially in older urban areas with limited grid capacity or in power-intensive areas. Upgrades and renovations often involve multiple government departments, and delays at any stage can lead to project failure.

Strategies:

1. Install dedicated transformers for large projects.

2. Partner with solar/wind power suppliers.

3. Communicate with local grid upgrade requirements in advance.

TKT 120-240kw Charger

EV Charging Station Investment Risk 3: Platform Fragmentation and Compatibility Issues

Caso di studio: To maximize exposure and attract more users, some operators partner with multiple EV charging platforms. Tuttavia, each platform has its own payment system, membership program, and various promotional activities, leading to increasingly lower profits for small EV station owners. Worse still, compatibility issues between different vehicle brands and EV chargers can prevent vehicles from charging. This compatibility problem severely impacts the user's charging experience.

Strategy:

1. Multi-standard compatibility: Adopt CCS2 and GBT as primary standards.

2. OCPP standard: Select equipment that meets OCPP 1.6 requirements, ensuring compatibility with mainstream platforms and facilitating system integration with various platforms.

3. Protocol integration: Ensure compatibility with mainstream electric vehicle brands.

4. Own universal payment platform: Build or lease your own payment platform, ensuring compatibility with most payment software on the market, allowing users to charge anytime without needing to store funds.

EV Charging Station Investment Risk Four: Unpredictability of Urban Planning

Caso di studio: One operator built a DC charging station early on, but local road reconstruction projects led to the closure of one of its main entrances for six months, resulting in a significant drop in traffic and ultimately forcing the EV station to close. Another operator established an EV charging station in a village after obtaining approval from the village government. Inizialmente, operations were good, but urban redevelopment required land acquisition. Since the initial contract did not foresee this situation, the charging station was forced to close due to "force majeure."

Analysis: The importance of site selection is self-evident, but factors such as urban redevelopment, large-scale infrastructure projects, or changes in regional planning can destroy a site's profitability. You must not underestimate the importance of assessing relevant risks during the site selection and planning phase. This includes future development plans and securing robust lease agreements.

20-80 Caricatore KW DC EV

EV Charging Station Investment Risk Five: Consequences of Charging Accidents

Caso di studio: A car owner's vehicle malfunctioned while charging at a charging station. The car dealership shifted blame, claiming it was caused by the EV charger. Tuttavia, they couldn't explain why other vehicles of the same brand and model worked perfectly with the same charger. Despite this, we are still affected. From accident investigation to repairs, the charging station is essentially unable to continue operating.

Analysis: Charging accidents are not always the fault of the EV charging station. Charging is a collaborative process between the electric vehicle and the charging station. It is unfair to arbitrarily attribute accidents to the charger. Tuttavia, the harsh reality is that many charging stations are struggling due to various "unexplained accidents."

Invest In EV Charging Stations Risk Six: The Troubles of Unjustified Complaints

Caso di studio: Complaints arise from a variety of reasons, such as slow recharge and refund processes, charging failures, and unsanitary conditions. We record and address every complaint to complete the feedback loop; these are normal operational matters. The most difficult complaints to handle are those requesting a station shutdown. Per esempio, a charging station built outside a ground-floor parking lot may receive complaints from tenants due to noise or light pollution.

Analysis: Consumer protection channels are crucial, but low complaint thresholds can be abused. When the other party's goal is to close the charging station, operators will face complex complaints, increased inspections, and potential renovation costs. Perciò, thorough communication with all parties involved in the site preparation is essential.

Riepilogo

Ovviamente, the challenges facing commercial EV charging stations extend far beyond these six pitfalls. They can also be caused by intense market competition, inadequate management and service, changes in government subsidy policies, or the expiration of land leases. The complexity of this industry far exceeds the imagination of outsiders, involving not only technology but also real estate, finance, operations, and policy. These failures offer valuable lessons. Only by understanding these pitfalls can stakeholders find a sustainable future for EV charging.