Grid Limitations Could Scupper EV Adoption: New Report

As part of its second annual collaboration, Xendee and EBM, the parent company of Microgrid Knowledge, has stated in a report that EV sales in the US are not just rising but gaining significant momentum. Projections suggest that they could potentially increase by an impressive 50 percent year-on-year, capturing nearly a tenth of the domestic vehicle market share. This promising growth trajectory should inspire confidence in the future of the electric vehicle industry. However, electric grid limitations could spoil the show.

Demand is willing, if sceptical, but the supply is weak when it comes to electricity distribution to charge those EVs. It’s not a lack of EVs but a feared shortfall of electrons, keeping many away from fleet electrification.

The consensus is clear: Some 75 percent of survey respondents say that electric grid limitations are a significant roadblock to the rollout of EV charging infrastructure for commercial electric vehicles. Project costs, permits, construction, and supply chain challenges are of concern among the respondents.

Overwhelmingly, nearly 80 percent of respondents identified microgrids powered by distributed energy resources as the leading transformative technology to facilitate the shift from internal combustion engines to EVs and electric fleets. This strong consensus among industry professionals should provide reassurance about the industry's direction and the potential of these technologies to overcome grid limitations.