The Charge Point Podcast
The Charge Point Podcast is your gateway to the future of EV charging. In each episode, we dive deep into the world of EV infrastructure, offering insights and perspectives from industry leaders, innovators, and the people at the forefront of deploying charging networks. Join us to explore the exciting developments that are accelerating our world towards sustainable mobility. More information about our Mission, Vision and Values here: https://www.flexecharge.com/company/about-us
The Charge Point Podcast
Episode 34 - The Grid Bottleneck: Why EV & Truck Charging Needs a Policy Reboot
🎧 Episode Summary:
In this episode, Christophe sits down with Dr. Julia Hildermeier, leader of transport electrification at the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP), to explore why the grid—not the vehicle—is now the real bottleneck in Europe’s EV transition.
Julia outlines the twin challenges of slow grid connections and costly, outdated pricing models, especially for heavy-duty and depot charging. She also highlights the importance of smart charging, explains how policy and regulatory reform can unlock flexibility, and shares real-world examples of promising public tenders, transparency tools, and corridor-level initiatives.
Whether you're a CPO, fleet operator, or policymaker, this episode offers clear insights on how to align EV deployment with grid readiness—and why acting now is essential for scaling the electric freight transition.
⏱️ Topics & Timestamps:
- 00:00 – Intro to Julia & her journey to RAP
- 02:43 – RAP’s mission & areas of focus
- 04:16 – The two biggest bottlenecks: Grid access & pricing
- 06:21 – RAP’s new policy guide on planning and pricing
- 08:10 – The power of smart charging: Cost savings & grid efficiency
- 12:21 – Promising practices from EU member states
- 15:30 – Recommendations for fleet operators & policymakers
- 18:30 – Who’s leading the way? National comparisons
- 19:21 – Coordinating charging across EU corridors
- 23:42 – Border pricing distortions & grid impacts
- 24:39 – Recommended RAP resources
- 26:00 – Wrap-up & final thanks
đź”— Resources mentioned:
- RAP’s new 2-pager: Accelerating the Shift: How to Advance Electric Truck Charging in Europe
- Smart charging case studies from Germany and France
- RAP’s international reports on grid optimization and smart charging
đź’ˇ For more insights, visit: www.raponline.org. Connect with Julia here.
🎓 For CPOs looking to master grid compliance, check out FLEXECHARGE’s Optimise Masterclass series.
You can get more information on our website.
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