Charging Infrastructure Electromobility: The Technical Guideline for installation and operation in practice

Electromobility in Germany is clearly on the rise, as can be seen not least from the rising number of new registrations of electric vehicles in recent years. A major goal of the German government in the context of the climate protection debate is to have around seven to ten million electric vehicles on the roads by 2030. In order to further promote electric mobility in Germany, the federal government has defined a clear package of measures:

• Increase in the purchase premium
• Further tax exemptions
• Expansion of the charging infrastructure

To promote the expansion of the charging infrastructure, the Federal Cabinet adopted the Charging Infrastructure Master Plan on November 18, 2019. Among other things, it states that a total of one million charging points have to be available throughout Germany by 2030. However, this does not only mean charging stations in public areas, but also in private homes and other properties. The construction of charging points in both the public and private sectors as well as the expansion of a charging infrastructure are facilitated by the existence of a well-developed electrical infrastructure.

A safe charging infrastructure has a significant influence on the safe charging operation of an electric vehicle, as the charging facility for electric vehicles is either directly connected to the supply network or to the electrical system of the subscriber of such a supply network.

This Technical Guideline shows what is necessary for the expert planning, construction and operation of a charging infrastructure and advises on how to avoid dangers or costly misinvestments. It provides an overview of important standards and regulations to be observed, but only serves as a recommendation and does not replace the support of qualified personnel for the installation of the charging infrastructure.

The aim of the Guideline is to communicate the advantages of electromobility in an understandable way and to reduce fears of contact and prejudices against this new type of propulsion technology. The Guideline also highlights the importance of the "Charging Infrastructure" system. Electromobility will only be accepted in the long term if the charging infrastructure can be established in a user-friendly, safe and comprehensive manner.

In summary, the Guideline provides recommendations for action and advice on the following questions:

• What has to be considered when planning, constructing and operating a charging infrastructure?
• How can potential dangers or costly misinvestments be avoided?
• Which standards and regulations are relevant in the context of the charging infrastructure?
• What role will smart grids and inductive charging play in the future?
  
  

Recommendable infographics from the Guideline:

The Guideline is the result of the cooperation of a project team in which all interested experts were involved in the commentary phase. The project team consists of the following organizations and associations:

• DKE – German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies of DIN and VDE (Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies)
• BDEW – German Association of Energy and Water Industries
• ZVEH – Central Association of German Electronics and Information Technology Crafts
• ZVEI – Central Association of the Electrical Engineering and Electronics Industry
• VDE FNN – Network Technology Forum/Network Operation in VDE

The revision of the Guideline is in line with the rapid technological progress and ongoing developments in the field of electromobility.
In the years since the publication of the first edition, concrete changes which necessitate a comprehensive adaptation have taken place both on the technical side and in the adoption, application rules and guidelines. Decisive points are the market-ready development and standardization of the Combined Charging System CCS and its establishment as a future European standard in the EU Directive 2014/94/EU and in VDE application rules. Crucial points are the market-ready development and standardization of the Combined Charging System CCS and its establishment as a future European standard in EU Directive 2014/94/ EU and VDE application rules.

The EU directive published in October 2014 pursues the goal of establishing a uniform Europe-wide charging infrastructure with standardized charging and connector systems and was transferred into German law as part of the "Regulation on minimum technical requirements for the safe and interoperable construction and operation of publicly accessible charging points for electric vehicles" ("Charging Column Ordinance" - LSV).

The guideline itself is warranted due to the ever-increasing importance of electromobility and the desire to bring the technology to a larger audience. Electromobility should be made understandable and accessible, the advantages should be communicated, and any preconceptions should be dismantled.

The charging infrastructure has a decisive influence on the reliable charging of an electric vehicle. If a few but important safety aspects are considered, electromobility is simple and easy for all users to use.

This Technical Guideline is primarily aimed at the following target groups:

• Home owners and real estate owners
• Property managers and parking garage operators
• Architects and urban planners
• Public administration employees
• Network operators and energy suppliers
• Electrical planners and installers

The latter two assume a service provider role in relation to the other target groups. Investors, urban planners and operators, for example, re-quest services, while network operators and energy suppliers, as well as electrical planners and installers, can fulfill these requirements.

Information for end users can be found in the HEA guidelines "Ladeinfrastruktur in Wohngebäuden” (Charging infrastructure in residential buildings).

Electromobility is a leap innovation that requires new, overarching systems thinking. In order to position the German economy successfully in the field of mobility, it is important to incorporate the positive effects of norms and standards into the development process from the very beginning and thus fully exploit them. The same applies to the latest developments in the field of mobility - micro-mobility. You can find further content on this subject area in the