The electrification of road transport is happening – and it is already having a profound impact on the energy system and our cities. As more and more people drive electric, smart charging can ease the integration of the newcomers into the grid.

Smart charging enables charging to automatically happen at times when electricity costs are lowest – without compromising the needs of vehicle owners. As a result, smart charging creates a powerful opportunity to use more renewable energy and better utilise existing grids, accelerating the energy transition while reducing costs for all.

Cities are essential actors in making smart charging happen at a large scale. Every time they publish a public procurement procedure and every time they issue permits for EV infrastructure, it is in their hands to make smart charging work better — now and in the years to come.

But how can local authorities deploy a future-proof, robust smart charging network, with technology rapidly evolving?

Important standards supporting smart charging – such as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) – are not yet available for charging stations built today. To avoid becoming obsolete before the end of its expected lifetime, infrastructure must be ready for future upgrades.

In a webinar held on 15 December 2022, Luka De Bruyckere from ECOS and Jaap Burger of RAP presented their new guide explaining how to build future-proof infrastructure, and equip cities to make the right choices when procuring new charging infrastructure.

Guest speaker Hugo Niesing from the city of Amsterdam shared his experience in advancing smart charging in a city that leads the transition to e-mobility.

Moderated by Ivo Cabral, Press & Communications Manager, Environmental Coalition on Standards at ECOS.

A recording of webinar can be viewed here.