Charging Infrastructure Construction and Layout: Protecting Pure Electric Agricultural Machines

Charging Infrastructure Construction and Layout: Protecting Pure Electric Agricultural Machines

Under the double wave of new energy vehicles and agricultural modernisation, pure electric farm machinery, as an important driver of green agriculture, is gradually entering thousands of households. However, the popularity of pure electric farm machinery is not a one-step process, in which the construction and layout of charging infrastructure has become one of the key factors restricting its development. In this paper, we will discuss the current situation and development trend of charging infrastructure and its significance to the popularisation of pure electric agricultural machinery from multiple dimensions, while citing well-documented data to support the discussion.

I. Status of charging infrastructure construction

In recent years, with the rapid growth of pure electric agricultural machinery market, the construction of charging infrastructure has ushered in unprecedented development opportunities. According to the data released by the National Energy Administration, by the end of 2023, more than 1,500 agricultural charging stations have been built nationwide, and the number of charging piles has exceeded the 80,000 mark, covering most of the country's agricultural production areas. The completion of these charging stations and charging piles provides a strong guarantee for the charging demand of pure electric agricultural machines.

In terms of geographical distribution, the construction of charging infrastructure shows obvious regional differences. Eastern coastal provinces have a relatively high density of charging stations and charging piles due to their developed economies and high degree of agricultural mechanisation. Take Shandong Province as an example, as a nationally important agricultural province, the province has built more than 300 agricultural charging stations and more than 15,000 charging piles, which rank among the top in the country. In contrast, charging infrastructure construction in the central and western regions is relatively lagging behind, but has been accelerating to catch up in recent years.

Challenges of Charging Infrastructure Construction

Although the charging infrastructure construction has achieved remarkable results, but still faces many challenges. Firstly, the uneven distribution of charging facilities has led to some remote areas still have the problem of charging difficulties. These areas are difficult to build charging stations and charging piles due to inconvenient traffic and weak grid infrastructure. Secondly, the construction cost of charging facilities is high, especially the investment in high-power fast-charging piles is even bigger, which brings certain economic pressure to operators. In addition, there are certain challenges in the operation and management, safety and maintenance of charging facilities.

Third, the trend of charging infrastructure construction

In the face of challenges, the construction of charging infrastructure is developing in the direction of more intelligent, networked and convenient. On the one hand, with the wide application of Internet of Things, big data and other technologies, charging facilities will realise remote monitoring, intelligent scheduling and other functions to improve charging efficiency and service quality. On the other hand, the government and enterprises will increase investment to promote the construction of charging facilities in remote areas and achieve full coverage of the charging network. At the same time, the standardised and modular design of charging facilities will also reduce construction costs and improve operational efficiency.

Fourth, the importance of charging infrastructure construction for the popularity of pure electric farm machinery

The improvement of charging infrastructure is of great significance to the popularisation of pure electric agricultural machinery. First of all, the convenience of charging facilities will directly affect the willingness of farmers to buy and use pure electric farm machinery. If charging stations and piles are widely distributed and easy to use, farmers will be more willing to choose pure electric farm machinery as a production tool. Secondly, the adequacy of charging facilities will guarantee the normal operation of pure electric farm machinery. In agricultural production, time is money, and if the charging problem leads to the inability of farm machinery to work properly, it will bring huge losses to farmers. Therefore, the adequacy of charging facilities will improve the reliability and practicality of pure electric farm machines.

V. Case Study: Charging Infrastructure Construction Practice in Tengzhou City

As a large agricultural city in Shandong Province, Tengzhou City is at the forefront of charging infrastructure construction. According to the data provided by Tengzhou Development and Reform Bureau, as of February 2024, 115 public charging stations and 7,399 charging piles have been built in Tengzhou, including 1,521 public charging piles and 5,878 personal charging piles. In rural areas, Tengzhou City has built 38 public charging stations and 223 communal charging piles in townships, basically realising the full coverage of charging stations except for some townships.

In order to further promote the popularity of pure electric farm machinery, Tengzhou City also plans to continue to increase the construction of charging infrastructure in the next few years. According to the Charging Infrastructure Construction Programme for 2024, Tengzhou City will make use of the provincial financial award funds of 1.48 million yuan to build 18 public charging stations in rural areas, so as to completely solve the problem of difficult charging in rural areas. At the same time, Tengzhou City will also strengthen the publicity and promotion of charging infrastructure to improve farmers' awareness and acceptance of charging facilities.

VI. Conclusion and Prospect

The construction and layout of charging infrastructure is an important guarantee for the popularisation of pure electric farm machinery. With the continuous progress of technology and the continuous support of policy, the charging infrastructure will be continuously improved and optimised, providing more solid support for the popularity of pure electric farm machinery.