3 reasons why the energy sector should invest in EV charging

EV charging services bring added value to energy companies' service portfolio and make them future-proof—especially in terms of the Smart Grid. The electric vehicle revolution is no longer approaching—it has arrived, and the numbers tell a compelling story.

Market reality: Europe crosses the inflection point

Global EV sales surged 25% in 2024 to record levels, with European market share reaching 14%.

This isn't just growth—it's the critical inflection point between early adoption and mainstream acceptance. Norway leads with an extraordinary 86% EV market share, while Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands have all crossed the 20% threshold. Traditional automotive powerhouses are rapidly scaling: Germany sold over 700,000 EVs in 2024, France and the UK are accelerating their transitions, and even markets previously behind the curve are gaining momentum.

Incentives for EVs continue rolling out across the continent, and car manufacturers keep releasing exciting news about new EV models. The momentum will only intensify in 2026 as stricter EU CO2 emission standards require BEV sales to reach approximately 2.1 million units—a 17% market share.

Automakers are responding with a wave of affordable models priced between €16,700 and €32,700, making EVs accessible to mainstream consumers for the first time.

As a consequence, the demand for EV charging infrastructure and services will boom. Energy companies are positioned to become the winners of this shift, enjoying many competitive advantages: solid background competence in power systems, existing infrastructure which serves as a basis for charging networks, and an established customer base.

From electricity distributors to service providers

What is perhaps still needed is a change of mindset, because the servitization trend affects energy utilities just like any business. It is important to perceive that providing EV charging service is not about distributing electricity to EV drivers. Regardless of whether the charging takes place in homes, real estate, or in public, it is a premium added value service for this specific, yet rapidly growing customer group.

An instrument for demand response in the Smart Grid

Getting involved with EV charging makes energy businesses future-proof and especially Smart Grid-proof. Here's where the opportunity becomes truly strategic: Europe's renewable energy generation must increase by 418% by 2030 to meet climate targets. Wind and solar will grow from 976 TWh in 2024 to 1,625 TWh in 2030, with variable generation reaching 38% of the total mix.

This creates an enormous challenge. Europe will need 770 TWh of flexibility resources by 2030—more than double today's capacity. By 2050, that requirement triples to 2,200 TWh. Sooner than we imagine, EVs will function as one of the key instruments for demand response in Smart Grid ecosystems.

Electric vehicles are packed with power and uniquely positioned to provide this flexibility.

By 2030, the cumulative BEV battery capacity in Europe will reach 114 TWh, with 55% potentially available for grid services. This represents 33% of the additional flexibility needs required by 2030.

While EVs are parked—around 95% of the time—they can be connected to the grid. When necessary, energy loaded in their batteries can be transferred to help the grid maintain its balance. The economics are compelling: through optimized charging with time-of-use tariffs (V1G),

EV owners can save between €59 and €210 annually. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, which allows EVs to discharge power back to the grid, can generate savings of €225 to €680 per year. Combined, these savings exceed 20% of the total cost of ownership (TCO) compared to internal combustion engine vehicles.

For energy companies, this creates multiple revenue streams: charging services, demand response programs, grid balancing services, and potentially carbon credit trading (CO2 cashback). The infrastructure you deploy now, the customer relationships you build, and the data and operational capabilities you develop will become increasingly valuable as the system evolves.

Source : Plugging into the potential : unleashing the untapped flexibility of EVs