• • • ADVERTORIAL • • •
E-mobility is on the rise again - and this time,
it’s here to stay By Gareth Brunton, Managing Director at Bender UK
T
he resurgence of e-mobility is far from a passing trend. According to an IEA report, the global stock of electric vehicles (EVs) surpassed 40 million units in 2023, a figure that more than doubled in just two years. Even more striking, one in five cars sold in 2023 was electric, a sharp rise from just 2 per cent five years earlier. This rapid acceleration signals that EVs are here to stay and the challenges that once stalled the e- mobility market in the late 2010s are now steadily being overcome.
Infrastructure is expanding, consumer confidence is growing and industry leaders are actively addressing the technical barriers that once slowed adoption. The next five years will define the future of road travel, and this time, e-mobility has the momentum and the market demand to establish itself as the dominant force.
Charging infrastructure is
no longer an obstacle In 2016, e-mobility stations started appearing beyond service stations, expanding into off-road locations and making charging more convenient. This shift was crucial in breaking the perception that EVs were impractical for long journeys. At the same time, charging technology evolved. Smart charging solutions now optimise grid usage, ensuring power is distributed efficiently. Industry leaders like Bender, whose solutions are integral to EV charging stations, are actively collaborating with standards committees to enhance safety across networks. Infrastructure is no longer the limiting factor; scalability is now the challenge. Despite these advancements, Council funding has stalled, slowing the pace of infrastructure development. However, with projections of 300,000 electric cars on UK roads by 2030, demand will force further expansion. Governments and private stakeholders must now invest strategically to meet the needs of a growing EV market. Large-scale deployment of high-speed chargers, particularly in residential areas and commercial hubs, will be key. Without widespread access, adoption could stall, undermining both public and private sustainability goals.
Another pressing challenge is standardisation; as manufacturers introduce proprietary charging solutions, interoperability issues could create barriers for EV owners. Establishing universal charging standards would eliminate these hurdles, ensuring that all vehicles can access a unified network. Companies like Bender recognised the growth potential in e-mobility early, investing nearly a decade ago, including the 2016 acquisition and
40 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • MAY 2025
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
subsequent integration of ebee, a pioneer in charging-controller solutions and advanced software engineering. This foresight has allowed Bender to have a fully approved product and a dedicated e-mobility team already in place, positioning itself at the forefront of the industry with solutions ready to meet the rising demand.
Consumer confidence is driving adoption
Early concerns about charging access are fading. Range anxiety which was once a major barrier to EV adoption has diminished as charging networks expand, giving drivers the confidence to travel without fear of running out of power. The key factor? Adaptation.
Just as owners of petrol cars rarely worry about finding a petrol station, EV drivers are now planning their journeys with charging stops in mind. This shift in perception has been critical to wider acceptance, making EVs a viable option for more people. Businesses are also responding by
integrating charging solutions into workplaces, retail parks, and residential areas, further embedding EV infrastructure into daily life. Yet, some challenges still remain unsolved.
A power infrastructure that
supports scalability The UK power grid presents a significant challenge. The existing infrastructure can only support a certain amount of power at any given time which could become a significant constraint as EV adoption accelerates. It’s not a question of if the number of EVs will grow and dominate the market, but when. Without upgrades, demand could outstrip supply, leading to bottlenecks that slow progress. Dynamic load management solutions are already improving power distribution, optimising grid efficiency in real time. However, long-term investment in grid expansion is essential to ensure the infrastructure can keep pace with the growing needs of an electrified transport system.
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