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The market for electric vehicle chargers is growing rapidly, but the growing environmental impacts are often overlooked. Producing charging points creates material flows that impact the environment. Europe is the second largest market, and with the projected growth of electric vehicles, more than 3 million charging points will be needed by 2030.
Circular strategies
Utilise existing infrastructure: check whether you can adapt existing electrical installations into charging points. That way, you need fewer new materials.
Reuse: stipulate reusable packaging for transport in your purchase contract. Have the supplier take the packaging back for subsequent deliveries.
Minimal use of materials in design: request charging points with minimalist design without unnecessary details. Make sure the packaging fits the contents exactly to avoid packed air.
Multifunctional parts: choose parts that have multiple functions, such as a protective housing that can also serve as a heat sink.
Low-impact materials: choose recycled materials or materials with a low carbon footprint.
Design for disassembly: make sure the charging point can be easily taken apart for reuse at the end of its life.
Design for recycling: think about recycling in advance. Avoid complex combinations of materials that are difficult to separate.
Modular design: ensure that components can be replaced or upgraded separately. This reduces waste and extends the useful life.
Design for disassembly: choose charging points that can be easily disassembled, simplifying reuse of materials and parts.
Standardised design and the possibility to update: choose charging points with standard parts that work in different models. Make sure the charging points can be updated as new technology becomes available, without having to replace everything.
Contractual take-back and reuse agreements: include in your contract that the supplier will take back charging points at the end of their useful life. You then choose whether to keep the existing charging point or take a new model. End-of-life models can be refurbished for other customers.
Insight into materials: request charging points with single-material components that are easily separable, without complex bonding. Have the supplier share the material composition so you know what is in it and to encourage reuse.
