Luca has been CEO of E-GAP Italy since 2020 and recently also appointed as CEO of E-GAP ENGINEERING. With Luca at the helm, E-GAP has become a leading name in innovative EV charging solutions. Its technologies and initiatives are designed to provide fast and rapid charging anywhere, any time. The company operates several mobile charging units, and pioneering methods of reducing grid reliance and improving battery performance.
Now, with the foundation of E-GAP ENGINEERING, the company is re-defining battery modules and charging solutions. Researched, designed, and crafted in Italy, E-GAP ENGINEERING’s push for improved battery technology and energy storage has the power to change the emobility world.
We caught up with Luca to discuss E-GAP ENGINEERING’s ongoing and upcoming projects, and to delve into the state of the charging world.
The EV charging landscape is rapidly evolving and expanding with the world’s increasing need for EV infrastructure. What sets E-GAP ENGINEERING apart in the charging sector?
E-GAP ENGINEERING is the result of a joint venture between E-GAP, a green energy delivery platform based on integrated battery charging solutions, and SET Engineering, a top Italian company specialising in the design and production of hardware and software for storage systems. E-GAP ENGINEERING employs resources such as informatics, electronics and mechanical engineers from leading national university centres and energy engineering professionals.
E-GAP ENGINEERING produces advanced battery modules in-house. They are the starting point for the development of the entire production line, developing cutting-edge solutions for electric mobility and energy storage.
What sets E-GAP ENGINEERING apart is its commitment to quality and Italian excellence. All E-GAP ENGINEERING products are meticulously crafted with care and precision in Italy, adhering to rigorous standards of quality and sustainability.
Their technology allows them to operate in multiple market areas, from the maritime to the construction or agricultural sectors.
What are E-GAP ENGINEERING’s main areas of focus?
Thanks to in-house research and development and an automated assembly line, E-GAP ENGINEERING is able to produce advanced battery modules in-house as additions to its charging systems, enabling it to present itself with advanced know-how to customers ranging from the maritime to the construction or agricultural sectors.
Specifically, E-GAP ENGINEERING Engineering deals with modules that until recently were made with cylindrical cells composed of the highest quality lithium-ion, which in the first phase of development made it possible to achieve excellent performance also in terms of weight, which was fundamental in the production of E-GAP ENGINEERING’s internal batteries. We have now moved on to new-generation prismatic cells composed of Lithium Iron and Phosphate, which increase the average life and allow for simpler and more efficient industrialisation of production processes.
Beyond simple energy storage, the products developed by E-GAP ENGINEERING improve grid performance. This supports grid stability and efficiency, which are essential to adapt to the dynamic demands of modern power grids. The fast and accurate delivery capabilities of the BESS make them perfectly suited to provide fast energy balancing for the grid and stable grid frequency. The rapid deployment of integrated battery products means rapid scalability to meet energy demand, avoiding the time-consuming process and costs of traditional grid expansion.
In your experience, what are the most significant barriers stopping the widespread deployment of EV charging and infrastructure?
One of the most significant barriers to the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure is the unpredictable demand in the electric market.
This represents a significant challenge for investment in charging infrastructure as it is complex to target investments effectively and correctly. Establishing a complete network of charging stations requires substantial investment in hardware, software and installation. Furthermore, existing electricity networks in many areas are not equipped to handle the increased demand resulting from the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, thus requiring significant upgrades to ensure network capacity and stability.
Implementing modular infrastructures that can be easily expanded or downsized according to actual demand can reduce high development costs and time For this reason, the need has arisen to create charging products with integrated storage that provide a mobile and off-grid charging solution.
E-GAP ENGINEERING is an improvement on the existing infrastructure: its products with integrated storage enables fast charging in places where an average connection is not possible or is too expensive (or too time-consuming) to enable the power required for fast charging.
Storage is key to enabling the decarbonisation of our energy system. In terms of percentages, it has been found that networks incorporating energy storage systems can reduce renewable energy losses by around 30% compared to traditional networks. This improvement stems from the ability of storage systems to more efficiently handle variable energy produced from renewable sources such as solar and wind power.
Another critical issue is the lack of standardisation and interoperability in charging protocols and connectors, which leads to compatibility problems between different electric vehicles and charging stations. Finally, consumer awareness and acceptance remain a challenge.
What would your message be to governments around Europe regarding the emobility transition?
To facilitate the transition to electric mobility, European governments should prioritise investment in the necessary infrastructure. This means allocating substantial funding for the development and deployment of a robust and widely accessible electric vehicle charging network, covering both urban and rural areas. It is also crucial to encourage the creation of unified standards for charging technology, ensuring compatibility and ease of use in different regions and vehicle types.
Governments should offer incentives for consumers and businesses to adopt electric vehicles and install charging infrastructure. These incentives could include tax breaks, subsidies and grants. Furthermore, it is essential to upgrade the electricity grid to support increased demand and integrate renewable energy sources, while maintaining stability and sustainability. Public awareness campaigns are also needed to inform people about the benefits of electric vehicles and the increasing availability of charging infrastructure, helping to alleviate concerns about range anxiety and encouraging more people to make the switch.
How do you see the EV charging sector developing worldwide between now and 2035?
By 2035, the electric vehicle charging industry will have evolved significantly.
Batteries will play a crucial role in the future evolution of the market, especially for the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy. They will be crucial for electric mobility, facilitating the spread of electric vehicles through increasing demand driven by environmental regulations and government incentives. Fast-charging infrastructures will increasingly depend on advanced batteries, which are needed to provide energy efficiently and balance electricity supply and demand by integrating renewable sources such as solar and wind power. Energy storage allows electricity grids to be stabilised and ensures a continuous supply.
Grids integrating energy storage systems can reduce renewable energy losses by about 30 % compared to conventional grids.
Technological advances will lead to faster and more efficient charging solutions, including ultra-fast chargers and wireless charging capabilities. The integration of renewable energy sources with electric vehicle charging networks will become more common, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient energy ecosystem. The development of smart grids will enable better demand management, reducing stress on the electricity infrastructure and optimising energy distribution. Furthermore, efforts towards standardisation will result in seamless interoperability between different charging networks and electric vehicle models, improving user convenience and adoption rates. Overall, the electric vehicle charging sector will play a crucial role in the transition to sustainable mobility, bringing significant environmental and economic benefits globally.
