Electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to rise globally, but the limited infrastructure may slow further expansion, according to Stephanie Link, chief investment strategist at Hightower Advisors. Speaking at the Benzinga AutoRevolution: The Future of Mobility and EVs event, Link stressed that improving the U.S. power grid is crucial to supporting the ongoing growth in the EV market.
Link noted that "Global electric car sales are up 35% year over year," underlining the growing adoption of EVs. However, she pointed out that the infrastructure needed to sustain this growth lags. "We need the grid to be more modernized," she said, adding that much of the spending has focused on maintaining the existing grid, with limited investment in upgrades.
Infrastructure and Affordability Challenges
Link explained that while demand for electric vehicles is increasing, many consumers encounter difficulties due to the lack of charging stations and aging energy systems. "We haven't spent a lot of money on it—in incremental new money," she emphasized, highlighting the need for significant investments to bring the grid up to date.
Moreover, Link acknowledged the issue of affordability. "The problem is only five of the [new EV models in 2024] are below fifty thousand dollars, and none of them are below thirty thousand dollars," she said, indicating that price points remain a barrier for many potential buyers.
Companies Working to Modernize the Grid
To address these challenges, Link pointed to companies focused on updating the nation's power infrastructure, such as Quanta Services and Eaton. These firms are taking on projects to help improve the capacity needed for EV charging and other electrification efforts. "I just think that the numbers that I'm seeing from these really established companies are just beginning," she explained, referring to Eaton's increasing workload related to grid modernization.
Link also touched on how industries beyond the auto market, such as data centers, depend on grid improvements to meet future power demands. "We are going to spend four trillion dollars between now and twenty-fifty on this electrification, this whole new energy transition," she said, highlighting the scale of investment required.
Long-Term View for Investors
Though the EV market offers strong potential, Link advised that investors must think long-term. "I think you have to have a long time horizon if you're going to invest in this theme," she said, emphasizing the gradual pace of necessary infrastructure improvements. Link offers a clear takeaway: while electric vehicles are set for continued growth, the U.S. must prioritize modernizing its power grid to support the rising number of EVs and future electrification needs.
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据Hightower Advisors的首席投资策略师Stephanie Link表示,全球电动车(EV)销量持续上升,但有限的基础设施可能会减缓进一步扩张。Link在Benzinga AutoRevolution: 未来出行和EV活动上强调,改善美国电网对支持EV市场的持续增长至关重要。
Link指出,"全球电动汽车销量同比增长35%",凸显了EV的不断普及。然而,她指出维持这种增长所需的基础设施滞后。"我们需要电网更加现代化",她说道,并补充说大部分支出都集中在维护现有电网,并且在升级上的投资有限。
基础设施和支付能力所面临的挑战
Link解释说,尽管对电动汽车的需求正在增加,但许多消费者由于缺乏充电站和老化的能源系统而遇到困难。"我们对此并没有花很多钱——是新增资金",她强调指出,需要大量投资以使电网升级。
此外,Link也承认了支付能力问题。"问题是在2024年的[新的EV型号]中只有五款低于五万美元,而且没有低于三万美元的",她指出价格仍然是许多潜在买家的障碍。
致力于改造电网的公司
为了应对这些挑战,Link指出了一些致力于更新美国电力基础设施的公司,如Quanta Services和Eaton。这些公司正在承接项目,以帮助改善EV充电和其他电气化工作所需的能力。"我认为这些非常成熟的公司所呈现的数字只是刚刚开始罢了",她提到了Eaton与电网现代化相关工作的不断增加。
Link还提到了汽车市场以外的行业,如数据中心,它们依赖于电网改进来满足未来的电力需求。"在2020年到2050年之间,我们将在这个电气化和全新能源转型上花费四万亿美元",她强调了所需的投资规模。
投资者的长期观点
虽然新能源车市场具有巨大潜力,但Link建议投资者要有长期的思维。她说:“如果你想投资于这个主题,你必须有一个长期的时间跨度。” 她强调必要基础设施改善的渐进步伐。 Link提供了一个明确的结论:虽然电动汽车发展势头强劲,但美国必须优先升级电力网络,以支持日益增长的电动汽车数量和未来的电气化需求。
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