Spain is among the world's top 10 electric car manufacturers.

A report by the consulting firm EY places Spain ninth in the world’s top 10 countries most prepared for electric cars, ranking fifth in terms of the most favorable regulations

Spain ranks as the ninth most prepared country in the world for the adoption and promotion of electric vehicles. This is according to a report published by the consulting firm EY, which lists the ten countries best prepared for the challenge of electrifying transportation and explains their respective positions, taking into account supply capacity, demand, and regulations governing electric mobility. Spain particularly excels in this last area, ranking fourth thanks to initiatives such as the Moves III Plan, government subsidies aimed at incentivizing electric mobility through the purchase of electric vehicles, and the installation of charging infrastructure.

Also noteworthy is the positive assessment of the nearly €6 billion (€5.927 billion to be exact) allocated to the PERTE program for electric vehicles, as well as the various incentives forthe use of these vehicles on our roadsThese include toll discounts, free parking, and dedicated traffic lanes. These factors contribute to Spain’s ninth-place ranking globally, surpassing other developed countries such as France, Japan, Italy, and Canada.

Fuente: EY Consulting

As for the top performers on the list, China is the undisputed leader in this ranking, boasting, among other things, 122 of the world’s 200 lithium gigafactories; coupled with a continuously growing domestic market and acharging infrastructure with increasing importanceThese factors, according to the aforementioned report, have led 51% of Chinese citizens surveyed to want their next vehicle to be electric. Norway occupies second place, thanks to its regulations incentivizing tax benefits for electric cars, the introduction of dedicated electric vehicle lanes, and exclusive parking spaces, making it a pioneer in this area. These measures have resulted in 70% of new vehicle registrations in 2021 being electric vehicles. To find the third country in the ranking, we don’t have to look far, as we land once again in another Nordic country: Sweden. The Scandinavian nation boasts a robust energy ecosystem supported by high acceptance of electric vehicles among its citizens; this, combined with significant manufacturing capacity, aims to make 41% of all vehicles produced in the country electric between 2022 and 2026.

Finally, the top 5 countries best prepared for the adoption and promotion of electric vehicles include Germany (fourth place) and the United Kingdom (fifth place), whose main strengths are their industrial fabric, their own battery production and an extensive catalog of electric vehicles yet to be launched.

How does electric vehicle charging work?

First, it’s important to understand that fast charging stations operate at 50 kW or higher, meaning they use direct current (DC). Therefore, charging your car at a fast charging station will require more components than you would find in a standard home or low-power charger.

Thus, electricity reaches the charging station through the electrical grid supplied by the provider. Here we will distinguish three main elements for charging our vehicle:

• Transformation center, including connection to the Medium voltage network.
• Power converter cabinet.
• Loading post.

How does a fast charging station for electric vehicles work?

Let’s start with the first point. The transformer substation will be responsible for connecting the electric vehicle charging station to the medium-voltage grid, complying with the regulations required by the electricity distribution company to whose network it will be connected, and for transforming the electricity from the medium-voltage grid to low voltage. Why is this point important? Because it guarantees the operation of the other elements that will ensure the electric vehicle is charged, and because it is also a fundamental point from a safety perspective.

Besides, the most advanced transformer substationsThey provide operating companies with remote data that allows them to understand consumption patterns, usage trends, and the status of the network and its components, enabling them to operate and maintain their network of charging stations more efficiently. All of this ensures that energy is available to all users.

Once the voltage is low, it’s time for the second element of the equation to come into play: the power converter cabinet. This set of equipment adapts the incoming alternating current (AC) electricity to direct current (DC), which is what electric vehicle batteries can handle.

Now that the voltage is low and the current is direct current, it’s time to look at the most familiar element: the charging station. These stations, with an appearance and function similar to the pumps found at any gas station, only in this case the energy is electrical, are responsible for transmitting the energy to our electric car.

Furthermore, these devices allow us to know the energy the charging station can supply, the energy our battery can absorb, the battery’s temperature, and an estimated charging time, as well as manage payment. In short, besides providing the energy through the cable, they act as our interpreter, enabling the charger and the vehicle to communicate and allowing us to choose the best charging option.