Trends and Challenges - Insight from Green Auto Summit 2024

Attending the Green Auto Summit in Stuttgart this year was a real reminder of just how quickly the electric vehicle (EV) landscape is evolving. It also reaffirmed the pivotal role of Germany in shaping the future of EV infrastructure in Europe. 

Despite its impressive growth in EV charge points, Germany still faces significant challenges when compared to other European nations. The country is rapidly expanding its infrastructure but must address issues like pricing transparency, utilization, and access to reliable charging solutions before it can truly lead in the EV revolution.

Charger angst - a key issue

But one of my key takeaways from the summit was the importance of tackling charger angst—the frustration many EV drivers feel due to unreliable charging networks and inconsistent pricing - at a European level. This problem isn’t unique to Germany but is felt across Europe, and solving it is critical to scaling EV adoption. The industry must prioritize robust solutions to address this issue, which is where companies like Dodona Analytics, winners of “The Best Start-Up Pitch” award at the summit, can make a substantial impact. But more about us later.

The need for dynamic pricing, battery investment, and collaboration

The sessions offered insights into both current trends and future challenges, from dynamic pricing by charge point operators (CPOs) to combat fraud to the looming battery investment crisis that could slow down EV production if not addressed. There was also a strong emphasis on collaboration—whether between governments, utility companies, or private sector players. Germany’s policy of offering CPOs land without selling the power is a unique approach that creates opportunities but also challenges for operators managing CAPEX and OPEX.

Despite the hurdles, the future of EVs looks promising, especially for heavy-duty vehicles and truck fleets, which will rely heavily on innovations like megawatt charging and improved battery management. However, for the industry to thrive, it needs to stay agile and focus on monetising data to drive better infrastructure and support from both consumers and governments.

Overcoming the challenges - our view

At Dodona, we believe that solving these issues boils down to one thing: utilization. It’s not just about putting chargers in the ground, it’s about ensuring they’re used effectively and efficiently through data-driven optimisation.

Dodona Analytics offers tools that help operators maximize utilization by providing clear, actionable insights into driver behavior, energy demand, and site performance.  By improving the way charging infrastructure is managed, we can help CPOs make smarter decisions, enhance the user experience, and ensure that investments are well-placed to meet future demand.

In a rapidly changing market, Dodona stands ready to help operators not only expand their networks but ensure those networks are optimized for the long term. The future of EVs is bright, but it will require the right data, insights, and technology to fully realise its potential.