ausheds keeps banging on about how the grid can't support the upcoming needs of PHEV/BEVs.
New research: Europe’s electricity networks are underused and can cope with electric cars
April 13, 2018 by Christos Kolokathis and Michael Hogan 2 Comments
Electricity distribution networks in Europe run at well below their full potential, finds a new study from the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP). The findings show that the unused network capacity could be utilised for charging electric vehicles with little or no need for additional capacity. Smart pricing and smart grid technologies will be the keys.
"EV adoption rates could stall, however, if infrastructure needs are gauged based on worst-case assumptions [chemist: aka "alarmism"] about impacts on electricity demand. Many variables factor into the EV equation. EVs and related technologies, such as chargers, keep improving; fuel-cell electric vehicles will compete to play a role; and new developments are reshaping road transportation, including a trend toward vehicle sharing. The investments needed to electrify transport will depend on how these and other trends play out."
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There are many moving parts in the EV revolution (not in an EV, however), but they are all improving and adapting; from the power sources for the grid to higher efficiency PM motors to special energy-saving EV tires. Utilities here in the US are also under-utilized, as evidenced by many regional utilities encouraging and even "subsidizing" EV ownership.
It's best for the Lynas if the EV revolution continues to ramp at a somewhat linear rate. I can see that happening with fleet conversions here in the early going and then increasing mass adoption. Lots of infrastructure considerations, certainly. A realistic discussion of risks to the EV revolution is sensible.
However, raising an alarm that such-and-such won't happen (e.g., replacing gasoline with electrons or economical underwater mining) because it's never happened is called static thinking. Don't get stuck on static.
