Experts exchange on energy efficiency standards for EV chargers in EU and China

On 5 November 2024, GIZ and China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS) co-hosted a workshop under the Sino-German Energy Partnership on current development of energy efficiency standards for EV chargers in the EU and China. The event provided a platform for experts from China, Germany and Europe to exchange and highlighted key challenges and progress in establishing such standards as well as differences between the approaches taken in the EU and those taken in China.

With commitments like Germany’s goal to reduce final energy consumption by 26.5% by 2030 (compared to 2008 levels) and China’s 14th Five-Year Plan objective of cutting energy intensity by 13.5% by 2025 (compared to 2020), both countries intensifying their efforts on energy efficiency across sectors, including electromobility. The expected increasing EV charging units makes it crucial to exploit their energy-saving potential to advance the low-carbon development goals. Approximately 70 participants from various industries and organisations attended the workshop, underscoring the cross-sectoral significance of the topic.

EU’s approaches to energy efficiency standards for EV chargers

The presentations highlighted the regulatory advancements in both regions. Antoine Durand, Project Manager at Fraunhofer ISI, shared insights from a pre-study on the EU’s potential regulation of EV chargers under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). Identified as a priority product group in the EU’s Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Working Plan 2022-2024, EV chargers offer significant energy-saving potential, with estimates indicating a reduction of 11 PJ by 2030 and 76 PJ annually by 2050.  Led by Fraunhofer ISI and the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), this preparatory study seeks to assess the technical, economic, environmental, market, and societal aspects of EV chargers to support upcoming EU regulation.

Petra Scharf, Head of International Cooperation, and Anna Trawnitschek, Project Manager Strategic Development Circular Economy at the German Institue for Standardization (DIN), discussed Germany’s role in shaping standards for electromobility. They highlighted how legislative frameworks, such as the ESPR, drive the development of sustainable, energy-efficient technologies in Europe. Trawnitschek further explained the link between regulations and standards in the EU.

China’s approaches to energy efficiency standards for EV chargers

China’s EV charging infrastructure, recognised as one of the country’s “seven new infrastructures,” has seen rapid growth. By the end of June 2024, China had installed a total of 10.2 million EV chargers nationwide, with the combined rated power of public chargers surpassing 110 GW. Forecasts suggest that by 2030, EV charging demand could reach 246.5 TWh, meaning that a 1% improvement in charger efficiency could yield savings of 2.4 TWh. Recognising this potential, China’s State Council recently issued guidelines prioritising EV infrastructure standards.

Ms. Dr. Xia Yujian, Director of the Energy Research Unit at the Resources and Environment Division at CNIS, and Ms. Xiong Meng, Senior Engineer at the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute (CAERI), discussed challenges in standards for EV chargers in China. Key issues include high energy losses, brand-related quality disparities, and limited energy efficiency awareness. Current standards only set minimum energy efficiency requirements, creating a gap that CNIS aims to fill by developing the National Standard for Minimum Allowable Values of Energy Efficiency and Energy Efficiency Grades for Electric Vehicle Charging Piles, launched in April 2024 with support from CAERI.

Fostering bilateral exchanges in achieving common goals

The workshop highlighted the importance of bilateral exchanges in achieving common goals. Following the presentations, a panel discussion allowed experts from government, industry associations, and private sector to analyse technical aspects and standard-setting methods for EV charging infrastructure in China and Germany. Topics included eco-design methodologies, the role of the ESPR in standards development, and ideas for future institutional cooperation. Moving forward, GIZ, CNIS, and Fraunhofer ISI will work together to compile a report summarising the  key outcomes of the workshop, supporting the ongoing standardisation and regulatory efforts in both countries.

This event was co-organized by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) under the framework of the Sino-German Energy Partnership, the official platform for bilateral dialogue and cooperation between China and Germany on energy transition. The German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) supports the Partnership in corporation with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Energy Administration (NEA) of China.