Blockchain, AI and Smart Grids: The Three Musketeers to a Decentralized EV Charging Infrastructure

The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) has brought an array of different services, from smart health-care, to smart transportation, all the way to smart cities. For a truly connected environment, different sectors need to collaborate. One use case of such overlap is between smart grids and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) giving rise to Electric Vehicles and their charging infrastructure. Being such a lucrative opportunity for investors and the research community, many efforts have been made toward providing the end-user with an extraordinary Quality of Service (QoS). However, given the current protocols and deployment of the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, some key challenges still need to be addressed. In particular, we identify two main EV challenges: (1) vulnerable charging stations and EVs, and (2) non-optimal charging schedules. With these issues in mind, we evaluate the integration of Blockchain and AI with the EV charging infrastructure. Specifically, we discuss the current AI and Blockchain charging solutions available in the market. In addition, we propose a couple of use cases where both technologies complement each other for a secure, efficient and decentralized charging ecosystem. This article serves as starting point for stakeholders and policymakers to help identify potential directions and implementations of better charging systems for EVs.