As electric vehicles (EVs) become commonplace in personal use, daily commutes, and transportation, their widespread adoption is reshaping global mobility. However, this surge in EV usage also presents challenges for drivers, fleets, cities, and infrastructure. Insufficient number of charging stations, route planning difficulties, concerns over battery capacity, and range anxiety remain key obstacles, complicating the transition to fully electric mobility.
Accurate and detailed map data becomes essential in overcoming these challenges. Information about the availability and compatibility of charging stations enables drivers to plan efficient routes and complete journeys confidently. Standardizing this map data ensures consistency and reliability across various platforms, enhancing the overall driving experience.
NDS is actively working to enhance maps with critical data tailored to the needs of EV drivers. By enriching maps with detailed, standardized charging station information, NDS is helping to streamline route planning, reduce range anxiety, and contribute to the transition to future mobility.
Accurate map data on charging infrastructure including charging station types and availability play crucial role to ensure that EV drivers can complete their journeys with ease. An EV charging station is a facility designed to recharge electric vehicles that consists of multiple terminals. Each terminal is a physical unit that supplies power to EVs via chargers. These terminals include one or more chargers, and each charger may feature the same or different types of connectors. The number of connectors in each terminal varies, and the type of connector determines the power it provides.
In NDS maps, EV charging stations are categorized within the POI (Point of Interest) module, under “Electric Vehicle Charging Stations” type. POIs provide service locations for vehicles, such as gas stations, charging stations, or garages, and they give additional details about the services they offer. For EV drivers, this information ensures efficient route planning, allowing them to easily find stations that match their vehicle’s requirements.
A charger, also known as Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), is an essential part of the charging station. It delivers energy to one EV at a time, though a charger can support multiple connectors. Only one connector can be active at any given time to ensure proper charging. Different connector types offer varying power levels, which influence the speed at which the vehicle charges.
The EV charging station details provide a structured model of available chargers based on connector types, as this is essential information for drivers to verify compatibility with their vehicles. Within each terminal, connectors are precisely mapped to their corresponding chargers, clearly indicating which chargers can be used for specific EV models.
Additionally, availability information includes the exact number of chargers per connector type, specifying whether they are currently available, occupied, reserved, or out of service. This comprehensive data helps drivers effectively plan their charging stops and ensures efficient usage of the charging infrastructure.
To visualize this setup, consider an EV charging station with different terminal configurations: Terminal 1 and Terminal 4 each have one charger with one connector, but with different connector types. Terminal 2 has one charger with two connectors, but they cannot be used simultaneously. Terminal 3 features two chargers with different connectors, both of which can operate simultaneously.
This variety of configurations provides EV drivers more flexibility in choosing the charging station that best meets their needs. By mapping these charging stations with precise and standardized data, NDS plays a key role in improving the overall EV driving experience, helping drivers navigate the growing EV infrastructure with ease.
Each terminal at an EV charging station requires a unique identifier known as the EVSE ID (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Identifier). This ID is crucial for calculating power usage per charger and per user, and it ensures accurate billing and authentication across charging networks. EVSE IDs can be assigned either individually to each connector or collectively to all connectors belonging to a single charger, depending on country-specific regulations and terminal configurations.
An EVSE ID uniquely identifies each specific charging point within a station, distinguishing individual connectors and sockets to maintain accuracy and clarity.
Key points about EVSE Ids for charging stations:
An EVSE ID might appear as “DEGCE1234567,” where “DE” indicates the country (Germany), “GCE” represents the operator, and “1234567” specifies the unique charging point.
Accurate assignment and management of EVSE IDs significantly contribute to the reliability, efficiency, and interoperability of the charging infrastructure, enhancing user convenience.
The following figure illustrates an EV charging station featuring two terminals. Each terminal is equipped with one charger containing two connectors. In Terminal 1, each connector has a distinct EVSE ID assigned individually. In Terminal 2, a single EVSE ID covers the entire charger, encompassing both connectors.
In the NDS approach to modeling EV charging stations, detailed attribute maps are stored within the PoiAttributeLayer. The EVConnectorConfigurations array specifies the three connector types available at each charging station. For every terminal, the connectors array explicitly maps these connector types to their respective chargers. In Terminal 1, two individual EVSE IDs are defined within the connectorID array of the charger. Terminal 2, however, utilizes a single EVSE ID set in the chargerID, applying to both connectors on that charger.
Additionally, two further attribute maps within the PoiAttributeLayer provide critical payment information for each EV charging station. The EV_CHARGING_PAYMENT_METHODS attribute indicates the accepted payment options, such as Electric Mobility Service Provider (EMSP) apps or credit cards, while the EV_SUPPORTED_EMSP attribute specifies the EMSPs supported at the station.
Accurately modeling EV charging stations helps drivers easily locate suitable chargers, enabling smooth and hassle-free charging experience. Detailed, standardized information on connector compatibility, charger availability, payment options, and supported service providers enhances the charging experience. This level of convenience directly promotes the wider adoption of electric vehicles and supports the transition to sustainable mobility.
By enriching map data through standardized models, NDS actively contributes to shaping the future of electric mobility. For more technical details on modeling EV charging stations, please visit the NDS Developer Portal. Join the community to explore how NDS standards can further advance maps, electric mobility solutions, and the future of EV navigation.
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