Electric vehicle charging ecosystems: Integrated review of infrastructure development and pricing mechanisms

The rapid increase in the use of electric vehicles (EVs) calls for a thorough knowledge of the construction of charging infrastructure and pricing policies in many nations. This study examined the facilitation policies for the EV charging infrastructure and charging-fee pricing techniques in key economies, such as the US, Canada, Japan, European countries, and Korea. The unique approaches to infrastructure development and creative pricing mechanisms were evaluated by examining government reports, industry white papers, and peer-reviewed literatures. This research reveals a variety of approaches to the deployment of fast-charging infrastructure, ranging from the extensive corridor planning of North America to the tiered charging strategy of Japan, the alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR) based charging strategy of European countries and the data-driven CILI (Charging Infrastructure Location Index) system of Korea. The review revealed the emerging trends in charging price determination, such as microgrid-specific real-time pricing mechanisms, time-of-use techniques, dynamic pricing based on the demand responsiveness, and tri-level pricing frameworks. The results show that significant public investment, innovative public-private partnerships, and coordinated multi-level governance are necessary to develop appropriate infrastructure. Effective pricing methods must also incorporate cutting-edge demand prediction and response technologies while balancing grid stability, service provider profitability, and user acceptance. This study contributes a cross-national, integrative framework that connects infrastructure siting, operational strategies, and market design. It distills actionable policy pathways for key stakeholders—including public investment models and innovative public-private partnerships—to foster the development of scalable, user-centric, and grid-aware EV charging ecosystems. • This study presents a novel integrated analytical framework that systematically connects macro-level infrastructure policy with micro-level pricing strategies, overcoming the limitations of prior, siloed research. • Through a rigorous comparative analysis of leading economies, this paper distills common success factors and actionable insights, providing a valuable benchmark for policymakers worldwide. • The paper provides a systematic classification of state-of-the-art pricing mechanisms, summarized in a clear table to serve as both a technical guide for operators and a comprehensive academic overview for researchers. • Culminating its analysis, the study delivers a unique Qualitative Recommendation Framework that evaluates key strategies based on cost, feasibility, and scalability, offering policymakers a clear, prioritized guide for strategic planning.