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NETWORK / 8 / JUNE 2019 INDUSTRY INTERVIEW Embracing change Andreas Lips, general manager, e-mobility, Shell – talks to Network editor Alec Peachey about how the energy and transport sectors are aligning to accommodate the millions of expected electric vehicles on UK roads. Q What barriers need to be over- come in order to enable the rollout of electric vehicles? A At Shell, we tend to look at this from a customer's point of view. Both private (B2C) customers like you and me, and business customers (B2B,) still face several uncertainties when it comes to electric mobility. Our research has con• rmed that private customers are still worried that EVs are too expensive (a second-hand car mar- ket has not been developed yet). A€ ordable models have long waiting lists in several markets. Customers also worry about the range of electric vehicles and the availabil- ity of charging points, or the time needed to "charge up". Business customers also worry about cost, but they look at it using a total cost of ownership approach. This takes the initial investment, the operating cost and the re- sidual value of the vehicle into account. For many, the TCO of an EV is also still higher than for a traditional vehicle. Businesses also consider the impact on their current business operations and sometimes shy away from any changes to a working pro- cess unless they are promised a signi• cant cost advantage. People and businesses need to gain con• dence that an electric vehicle can meet their needs both in terms of use case and cost in order for the electric mobility market to reach its full potential. Q How should the electricity and transport sectors work together to help achieve this? A As is oˆ en the case with new energy- related technologies, collaborative and coordinated action from industry players – such as power suppliers, charging infra- structure providers and car manufacturers – will be essential to develop an adequate charging network that meets the needs of EV drivers while also helping to manage power supply systems more e‹ ciently. Q What regulatory and technical bar- riers must be overcome to allow for the widespread adoption of EVs? A Considered and consistent support from government will help to create optimal business environments for electric charging providers, while providing custom- ers with incentives that encourage the use of electric vehicles. Progress in electric vehicle technology and infrastructure is crucial to continued growth in electric vehicle use. It will require new investments from industry and the right investment landscape and policy sup- port schemes to make electric vehicles more attractive to consumers. We believe that policy support should include policies that focus on the system (vehicles, fuels and infrastructure) and on meeting customer needs, to help accelerate the pace of the transition to a low-carbon future. It should also drive full interopera- bility of publicly accessible charging points, which should help minimise anxiety over electric vehicle driving ranges and reduce charging costs for drivers; and encourage the roll-out of charging infrastructure for residential and non-residential buildings. Q How can you bring the energy and transport networks up to speed so that they can accommodate the 36 million EVs expected on the roads by 2040? A As charging networks grow, to provide electric vehicle drivers access to suit- able and reliable infrastructure, electricity systems will also need to be improved to supply the additional power required. If the average family swapped their conventional car for a battery-electric car, their house- hold electricity use could almost double, leading to additional demand for power and increased pressure on the power grid. Intelligent charging technologies can help to ensure the smooth integration of electric vehicles into the electricity system. When charging at home or at work, electric cars oˆ en remain connected to the power grid for longer than necessary. Intelligent charging can shiˆ the charging load of elec- tric vehicles to when it is most bene• cial for power grid management, for example overnight. By optimising charge timing and speed, these smart technologies can make charging more e‹ cient and therefore improve integration with the wider power supply system. Q What is Shell's role in developing solutions and working with the industry? A Earlier this year, we announced the purchase of Greenlots. Greenlots is a US-based leader in electric vehicle charg- ing. It is a leader in energy management soˆ ware. Their smart charging soˆ ware can "Progress in electric vehicle technology and infrastructure is crucial to continued growth in electric vehicle use." electric vehicle use."