Smart electric vehicle charging and energy management software solution, Driivz—utilised by some of the industry’s most trusted EV charging networks like EVgo, Volvo Group, and Circle K—offers an end-to-end EV charging and energy management solution that is working to meet the adoption of electric vehicles worldwide.
We spoke with Andrew Bennett, CEO, Driivz, to learn more about the ongoing barriers to EV adoption, and to highlight how EV stakeholders can help.
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Just Auto (JA): Could you provide some background on your role and the company?
Andrew Bennett (AB): I have over two and a half decades of experience working in the energy software industry. I was most recently CEO at mPrest Energy, a leader in Distributed Energy Resource Management Software. Prior to that, I led worldwide sales for IBM’s AI Applications Business Unit and served as the GM of Schneider Electric‘s Energy Business Unit.
Driivz is a Vontier (NYSE: VNT) company and part of its EVolve e-mobility portfolio. EVolve brings together two of Vontier’s key e-mobility technologies – Driivz and Sparkion.
At Driivz we are spearheading the rapid transition to electric vehicles by providing EV charging providers and fleet operators an interoperable electric vehicle charging and energy management platform solution that simplifies EV charging, at scale.
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By GlobalData
How can EV stakeholders assist users with range anxiety?
Range anxiety is a combination of limitations of a handful of variables, which EV stakeholders can attempt to remedy. Battery capacity, to charging infrastructure gaps, to timing and battery age to even driving conditions and cold weather; all these factors contribute to range anxiety.
However, Driivz sees range anxiety on the decline, as most EVs on the market can drive up to 350 miles on a single charge. We are seeing focus and worry shifting to what we call ‘Charge Anxiety’, which is attributed to longer wait-times at queues in charging stations, availability concerns at busy charging points, network downtime and broken-down equipment. Even simple charging points incompatible with consumers’ vehicles is becoming a growing pain point.
EV stakeholders can address these anxieties through maximising data shareability and providing real-time data on charging station status, availability, connector type, charging speed and pricing, payment/authentication, and trip planning. Continued buildout of infrastructure is needed. Currently, 64% of U.S. residents live within two miles (3.2km) of a station. Increasing network availability and stability, along with having consumer-friendly technologies is the best approach to extinguish both range and charge anxieties.
How can EV charging networks work together with grid stakeholders to efficiently distribute power between infrastructure?
Data transparency to accurately and precisely predict the amount of energy needed. Without the correct figures and facts, improper delivery of energy can allow for less reliable charging and less reliable charging leads to a frustrated consumer. That frustration can sow the seeds of distrust in the technology, slowing down EV expansion. So, it is essential to be clear and communicative with grid stakeholders to ensure power to the pedals of consumers. Ensuring a balance between the power requirements for vehicle charging and the grid is a major challenge. When there is a growing number of chargers in one location e.g., fleet depots, MDUs, office buildings, etc., it is necessary to optimise energy distribution to cope with the limitations of the existing grid. In some cases, battery storage and/or renewables need to be integrated at the microgrid level.
EV charging presents a huge demand for energy, and many sites do not have enough local grid capacity
EV charging presents a huge demand for energy, and many sites do not have enough local grid capacity to make unmanaged EV charging a viable business proposition. At the same time, upgrading capacity is very costly and may take a long time to implement. Adding smart energy management dramatically optimizes EV charging by enabling a site to reliably charge multiple EVs concurrently using innovative technology that ensures the safe delivery of energy to EVs using currently available energy resources and without compromising the site’s electrical infrastructure.
Smart energy management uses smart algorithms to determine how to optimize the delivery and distribution of energy for EV charging while tapping into all available energy sources, including the grid, renewables, and local battery storage. By considering a variety of factors such as unmanaged loads, demand for EV charging, fluctuating energy costs, variable levels of renewable energy and battery storage, and more, smart energy management enables network operators to provide EV drivers with an excellent charging experience while increasing revenue and overcoming grid constraints.
What are the current barriers to widespread EV adoption? What do you think the future holds for EV adoption globally?
EV charging infrastructure needs to continue to undergo extensive growth for more consumers to feel more comfortable with purchasing an EV. Strategic planning can assist in the development and enticement of potential new EV users. Adding chargers in natural, instinctive touchpoints of consumers lives’ – like at their workplace or grocery stores – allows EV drivers without home charging capabilities to enter the marketplace.
Myths are also having a cooling effect on the adoption of EVs. They include disinformation about: the environmental impacts of batter manufacturing and disposal, and the strains of grid demand on utility companies. These falsehoods may concern uninitiated, ill-informed potential EV purchasers, but they don’t present realistic barriers to the continued rollout of EVs.
At Driivz, we’re focused on making charger management more profitable and seamless for charger owners and operators.
At Driivz, we’re focused on making charger management more profitable and seamless for charger owners and operators. Having a mindset of a ‘Driver-first’ charging experience that uses smart energy management is a win-win for charger owners and EV drivers, and will bring more widespread adoption.
So, it’s a question of when, not if, global EV adoption will take place. We are seeing economies that are more open to no longer solely relying on the constraints of fossil-fuels pivoting more swiftly to an EV transition. Also, where barriers surrounding grid power intelligence and charging hub infrastructure do not present as much of an obstacle, transitioning to EVs is happening more smoothly and efficiently. Ultimately, the global transition will be a gradual adoption on average, but some regions will transition faster than others.
