Linking EV charging and renewable energy generation more closely in location and time unleashes additional benefits for the transition to a clean power system. The current version of the Renewable Energy Directive (III) created a new opportunity to advance this approach.
Member States must now implement a credit mechanism that counts renewable electricity used in EV charging towards sectoral renewable energy targets. Jaap Burger explains new ways governments could design the credit mechanism, starting from leveraging existing accounting methods to using available technologies such as EV smart charging. Connecting to existing technology can limit costs and increase benefits significantly, such as more efficient use of local networks. Making better use of what’s already there — renewable energy generation, vehicle batteries and data solutions — can also increase the effectiveness of individual measures and reduce costs.
Credit where credit is due: Smarter alignment of renewable electricity and EV charging