Netherlands will be home to a new international test centre for electric cars, buses, trucks and charging stations. ElaadNL's test centre will be located in Arnhem and is part of the energy cluster Connectr. The Elaad Testlab is expected to be ready for use on 1 September.
ElaadNL is a knowledge and innovation centre in the field of smart charging and charging infrastructure in the Netherlands. The initiative was set up by Stedin, Enexis Netbeheer, Liander, Coteq, Rendo, Westland Infra and Tennet. ElaadNL should provide a better picture of the measures needed to monitor the reliability and affordability of the energy network while facilitating the development of e-mobility.
As power users test
The number of electric vehicles on the market is growing rapidly. They range from electric cars and vans to trucks, motorbikes and, in the future, are expected to include heavy construction equipment, barges and small aircraft. These vehicles not only need to be able to drive safely, but also to charge safely. ElaadNL therefore mentions the importance of the vehicles being tested by the RDW as power carriers in addition to the usual tests as means of transport.
The new test lab in Arnhem offers this opportunity. Companies will eventually be able to test their electric cars, buses, trucks and charging stations at the new test centre. "We have been testing the charging of electric passenger cars at our current location with car manufacturers for several years. But there was no space for trucks and buses. In this new, large hall with associated charging plaza, we will soon be able to test many more and also much larger and heavier vehicles, such as buses and e-trucks and associated charging infrastructure. Because of the impact on the power grid, it is crucial for grid operators to also be able to test this new wave of vehicle electrification," explains Onoph Caron, director of ElaadNL.
The test centre will have measurement equipment and special charging infrastructure that will enable high-powered charging of a lot of power in a short time. The underlying ICT communication in the charging chain can also be tested, from the car and charging station to the back-office and interaction with solar panels and home energy management systems, among others. Cybersecurity is also covered in the tests.
Open meeting place
The Elaad Testlab is an open meeting place. Among others, manufacturers of vehicles, charging infrastructure and companies providing energy services can visit the test lab. It also collaborates with educational institutions such as the HAN to train new professionals.
ElaadNL also joins Connectr, an energy innovation initiative in which various parties share knowledge and expertise, test ideas and put them into practice.
Funding from the government
The test centre is funded with support from the province of Gelderland and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. State Secretary Van Veldhoven: "Good news that we will soon have this international test centre. Faster charging makes e-driving more attractive. This centre will be a breeding ground where green innovations will see the light of day. Our industry will benefit from this, and ultimately all of us. Clean air, more green jobs and less CO2."
Gedeputeerde Van der Wal of the province of Gelderland: "A great step for Connectr Energy Innovation and Gelderland. Not only can other companies and educational institutions use this test facility, people will also be trained here in cooperation with education for new jobs in energy technology. The arrival of Elaad's international test lab adds an important link to Connectr to bring energy innovations to market faster."
Making work of charging infrastructure in EU
The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), Transport & Environment (T&E) and the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) recently called on the European Union (EU) to step up work on electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The organisations called for the realisation of 1 million public charging stations in the EU by 2024 and 3 million by 2029. They also call for targets per EU member state.
Incidentally, the Netherlands is performing well in this area compared with other countries and is one of the frontrunners in facilitating the use of electric vehicles. For instance, our country ranks second on Leaseplan’s EV Readiness Index, with only Norway ahead of us. Last year, both countries were still tied for first place.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
