Inventing the wheel of EV charging from 2008 to 2023
When our EV charging adventure started back in 2008, we had to invent the wheel all by ourselves. We went from initial ideas, discussions and drawings to first prototypes and eventually installing our first charging cabinets as precursors to the modern, smart EV charging stations you see today. Those humble beginnings set the stage for a journey marked by doubt and skepticism, but our commitment to the electric revolution remained unwavering. And led us to amazing milestones and great successes.
When Alfen participated in an experiment to start developing units that could charge EVs in 2008, we stepped into uncharted territory. We had to forge our own path from scratch. That meant brainstorming with grid operator experts, collaborating with software developers and rallying a team of skilled engineers who enthusiastically started crafting initial designs and prototypes.
No shortcuts and no competitors
There was no shortcut to tap into existing EV charging technology because, honestly, there weren't any competitors offering EV charging stations in The Netherlands at the time. And here's the kicker – the cars we tinkered with weren’t your typical ‘electric vehicles,’ they were Volkswagen combustion cars that had their engine and gearbox replaced by an electric drivetrain. Can you believe that?
“The first units we delivered in 2008 were more like basic black electrical cabins equipped with sockets for red and blue CEE plugs that opened and closed with a manual key – no fancy smart tech involved,” said Hessel Faber, one of our initial engineers that’s still working for Alfen today.
He continued, “These cabins were simple, but they got the job done and provided us with a starting point. After that we kept implementing more and more improvements. We designed the initial electronics that automated the opening and closing of the charging point, securing the cables. To connect a charging point to the power grid, which is common on streets and in public spaces, we had to add an energy meter that met the specifications of the grid operator.”
Despite our enthusiasm, those early days were tough. Doubt and criticism surrounded us. Few believed in the potential of electric mobility, and sometimes, we found ourselves doubting our own direction.
The early days
In the early days, EVs had limited consumer adoption due to concerns about range anxiety, battery technology and the availability of charging stations. This lack of demand made it challenging for companies to invest in infrastructure. But we kept believing in the electric revolution.
Beyond the lack of serious infrastructure, there were no regulations for land use, power supply and charging station installations. Plus, each country had its own plug types, power standards and communication protocols, which made creating a universal charging network a real challenge and slowed down progress in the industry.
Additionally, building a network of EV charging stations required significant investment, and the returns were uncertain. Companies hesitated to invest in technology that might not yield immediate profits. That’s why we are so proud that in contrast to many other players in this market Alfen’s EV charging station business has been profitable despite market challenges.
Confidence boost
It took us 3 years to deliver our first 1,000 charge points in 2011 and 1,000 more in 2012. As our momentum grew, we reached our 10,000 milestone in 2014. Numbers like that are a real confidence boost to keep you motivated.
One and a half decades later, our situation is completely different. The market matured, doubts towards electric driving are fading, there are regulations and local plus European incentives and laws push companies and drivers to jump on the EV train. In our 15-year journey of EV innovation, we’ve exceeded the delivery of 628,000 charge points in Q3 of 2023.
And with European goals to electrify mobility plus the newly added AFIR laws with specific rules for expanding EV charging infrastructure ahead, we’re positive that we will remain a market leader in Europe for the coming decade.
Now let’s see when we can get to that 1 million charge points!
Want to read more?
> Read the Interview with Marco Roeleveld about Alfen's 15-Year Journey in EV Charging here.