As electric vehicle sales grow, so does the requirement for robust charging enclosures

Protecting the charging points against adverse weather or impact damage is vital to maintaining safe and reliable charging, which puts enclosures at centre stage.

Chris Lloyd, Managing Director at Spelsberg, explains the key drivers behind e-mobility enclosure design.

In 2020, more than 10 percent of all UK car registrations were for electric vehicles (EVs). The gathering pace of EV
sales is of little surprise and is set to increase – one reason being the closing proximity of the UK's deadline on the ban of combustion engine car sales, brought forward from 2040 to 2030.

Concerning public transport, between 2020 and 2024, the electric bus market is expected to grow at a rate of nearly 50 percent. The e-mobility sector
is also joined by e-bicycles. In the Netherlands – albeit with a strong history of participation in cycling – over 50 percent of all adult bikes sold in 2018 were electric. According to a recent report, it's predicted that by 2023, the number of e-bikes, including those privately owned and publicly shared, will reach over 300 million, a 50 percent increase
on 2019's figures.

The growth in EVs means a corresponding requirement for growth in charging points. To meet demand, as of January, the UK had over 30,000 publicly available electric vehicle charging points across nearly 14,000 locations. Charging points include electrical distribution, the interface between the vehicle and the power grid, which is as crucial to an EV as its
battery. To achieve safe, reliable charging whatever the conditions, a robust enclosure must protect the electrical distribution unit, while ensuring safe operation to users and the wider electrical circuit.

Working with leading car manufacturers, Spelsberg developed bespoke enclosures to ensure safe, secure and easy-to-use vehicle charging, from domestic applications through to semi-public installations, such as car parks...

Read the full article in the May issue of DPA