More and more drivers are turning to electric vehicles (EVs). Currently, nearly 1 in five cars purchased are electric, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), and that number is expected to grow significantly over the next 6 years. The IEA and the US-based Rocky Mounting Institute both predict that over two-thirds of global car sales will be electric vehicles by 2030 — which means that we’ll need more charging stations around the world.
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According to research from industry analyst Berg Insight, Europe is expected to lead this expansion, with the number of connected charging points rising from about 2 million in 2021 to over 14 million by 2026. North America, while starting from a lower base, is also anticipated to see substantial growth, reaching nearly 4 million connected charging points by 2026. This rapid increase in charging infrastructure underscores the importance of reliable, scalable connectivity solutions.
Charge point operators (CPOs) and manufacturers already see the growing need for convenient and dependable charging infrastructure. They’re actively seeking out advanced connectivity solutions that make it easier to set up charging stations and get them operational — all while ensuring that payment and other communication remains secure. And, of course, CPOs want to know that they won’t need to go through costly equipment upgrades in just a few years.
Here’s a closer look at why LTE-M is a logical choice for EV charging connectivity.
The Role of Connectivity in EV Charging
Charging stations can be private, semi-private, or public. Private home charging stations allow owners full control over who can access the charging point; semi-private charging points can be at workplaces, hotels, or parking garages, and there are generally some restrictions on who can use them.
Public charging stations, as the name suggests, are open to the public without restrictions to anyone with a compatible vehicle.
No matter the type of charging station, connectivity plays an important role.
Remote Management. Connected stations allow the charge point operators to monitor status, diagnose issues, and perform updates remotely — meaning fewer on-site visits and less downtime.
User Experience. Drivers can easily locate available chargers, initiate and pay for charging sessions, and receive notifications — all through a smartphone app.
Smart Charging. Connected stations can communicate with the grid to optimize charging times based on energy demand and pricing, saving money for operators and drivers.
Connectivity also enables advanced features like load balancing across multiple charging points, which helps optimize energy distribution and prevents overloading the local power grid. This is particularly important for large-scale charging installations at locations like shopping centers or fleet depots.
Charge point operators have multiple connectivity options to choose from, including cellular alternatives such as LTE-M or CAT-1, as well as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and others. The two cellular LPWA technologies — LTE-M and CAT-1 — offer several advantages over the others: wider coverage, robust security, ease of installation, and lower cost of ownership. Additionally, Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity solutions often require additional infrastructure, which can increase costs — particularly in public charging stations.
CAT-1 is a good choice when operations require a higher data transmission rate.
Most EV charging points, however, have lower data transmission requirements, which makes LTE-M a smart choice for the majority of CPOs.
The Advantages of LTE-M for EV Charging Points
What exactly makes LTE-M such a compelling connectivity solution for EV charging infrastructure? Let’s take a look at some at a few of the reasons:
Extensive Coverage Range. Unlike cat-1/cat-1bis, which might suffer from limited range and frequent disconnections in cases of poor network conditions, LTE-M is designed specifically for IoT devices and provides reliable connectivity even in poor signal reception conditions, ensuring continuous data transfer — including in underground parking garages where connectivity conditions deteriorate.
Simple Installation. With LTE-M, there’s no need to run Ethernet cables or configure local Wi-Fi networks. Charging points can connect to the cellular network right out of the box, which makes the installation process simple and straightforward.
Worldwide Interoperability. LTE-M chipsets and modules feature OneSKU design, enabling a single hardware platform to support a wide range of frequency bands used by all global operators. This allows manufacturers to create a unified hardware design for worldwide markets, which translates to more design flexibility and lower costs.
Future Readiness. LTE-M is a standardized technology with a clear 5G roadmap for future development. Charging point operators and manufacturers who adopt LTE-M standards are making a smart financial decision.
LTE-M’s future readiness extends beyond just technological advancements. As the EV market grows, charging point operators will need to scale their networks rapidly. LTE-M’s simplified deployment and management make it easier to add new charging points to an existing network, allowing operators to grow their infrastructure in line with market demands without significant operational disruptions.
Driving the EV Revolution with LTE-M Connectivity
As more and more people switch to electric vehicles, it’s important to have robust, reliable charging infrastructure in place. Using LTE-M technology for communication makes it easy for charge point operators to set up stations virtually anywhere, even in underground parking locations, without complex wiring or network configuration.
Sony Semiconductor Israel (SSI) is excited to be part of the EV transformation. Our advanced LTE-M modems and System-on-Chip (SoCs) are powering the next generation of EV charging infrastructure.
SSI’s solutions are designed to deliver the performance, security, and reliability needed to support the mass adoption of electric vehicles and drive the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future. You can learn more about SSI and our solutions on our website.