Topic outline

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    • Notice Page

      This course, Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles: What kind? Where? How?, was originally offered as a 4-week moderated course in spring 2014 as part of the EU TIDE project. While we can no longer provide expert moderation, we are happy to make the course material open for you to learn from.  If you have any questions about this course or about the TIDE project, please contact icre@polisnetwork.eu

  • Unit 1: Introduction

    Electric vehicles (EVs) are making their way into the mainstream market as people continue to seek more energy efficient alternatives for personal car transport. However, many cities currently lack adequate charging facilities, which limits the number of people who could consider EVs as an option. This course takes a systematic approach to analysing which types of charging infrastructure are appropriate in different local contexts, with consideration for business models, partners and stakeholders, political instruments, financial incentives and the challenges one might encounter along the way. You will also be encouraged to start thinking critically about how EV charging infrastructure could best be introduced into your own city's unique context.

  • Unit 2: An overview of charging technologies

    This unit provides an overview of the four possibilities to charge an electric vehicle (EV) and their main technical components.

  • Unit 3: Local context and quantification of charging infrastructure

    When planning charging infrastructure, you first need to understand the unique needs of your city or town.

  • Unit 4: How and why to create a business model

    EV charging infrastructure requires significant financial investment. This unit introduces the tools needed to think systematically and arrive at solutions to the challenges of starting an integrated charging infrastructure network.

    • The "chicken-and-egg" problem Book

      Which needs to come first: the EVs, or the charging infrastructure? A systematic approach is key to working through this initial challenge.

    • Business models overview Book

      Investment from private companies is often a driving force when planning and creating charging infrastructure. In order to realize your infrastructure plan, you need to first have a plan or model for attracting the right partners for the job.

    • Unit 4: your task Page

  • Unit 5: Taking into account partners and stakeholders

    The aim of this unit is to help you to identify your potential partners and stakeholders and to adjust your project planning and maintenance based on their needs and preferences.

  • Unit 6: Political instruments & Financial incentives

    While private investment is necessary to initiate charging infrastructure in a city, certain political instruments and financial incentives often need to be employed to stimulate the market and ensure successful build up. This unit goes into more detail about the variety of strategies that can (and, more often than not, should) be used.

  • Unit 7: Challenges

    Every project faces difficulties. Some challenges may surprise you, but if you know what to look out for in advance, you'll be better prepared to address them head-on.

  • Unit 8: Conclusion

    What have you learned and what else can you learn from the TIDE project?

    • Reviewing Book

      Review of the key messages and resources of this course

    • Other resources Book

      A few more resources that may be useful

    • TIDE e-learning course evaluation Feedback

      Congratulations! You have completed the TIDE e-learning course on charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Please take a few minutes to let us know about your experience with the course. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and will be used to improve future e-learning courses.