Overview of the challenges, developments, and solutions for electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Electric vehicles (EVs) address the pressing challenges of carbon emissions, high fuel consumption, and rapidly depleting fossil fuels in the transport sector. However, EVs face a lack of adoption because of their limited travel range, charging infrastructure, and suitable charging standards. Therefore, this paper seeks to provide an overview of the challenges, developments, and possible solutions for the EV charging infrastructure. It also assesses different types of EVs, including battery, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid EVs. In addition, we evaluated the charging infrastructure for the vehicles. Thus, we analyse how this EV infrastructure will impact the power distribution network. Based on this overview, various technologies, including smart grids with smart meters, smart charging, and wireless charging, can reduce the difficulties encountered when adopting EVs and their charging infrastructure. Future smart cities will be heavily reliant on EVs; therefore, it will be especially important to have flexible charging schemes that can respond to customer needs.