Benefits of Coupling Electric Vehicle Charging with Photovoltaic Electricity Production: A Global Overview

The global energy transition aims to decarbonise both transportation and electricity generation to mitigate climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Electrification of private transportation, through the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), presents a promising pathway to achieving the first objective. Concurrently, the rapid advancement and cost reduction of photovoltaic (PV) technology have positioned solar energy as a viable solution for renewable electricity production. This review paper synthesises recent modelling and empirical studies examining the synergies and challenges of coupling EV charging with PV electricity production. It explores the multifaceted benefits of this integration across various contexts: residential, workplace, highways, and public parking infrastructures. Additionally, the paper delves into practical considerations essential for real-world implementation, such as political incentives, charging stations, and tariff structures. By offering an overview of the cost effectiveness and implementation challenges across the four corners of the world, in a diversity of climate, solar irradiance and mobility behaviours, the review bridges the gap identified in the previous reviews on the potential of EV-PV coupling.