Fast car charging: “Defective species” in Europe

“Inadequate item” is fast charging in cars in Europe, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).

ACEA points out that there is a great shortage of chargers throughout the EU, and that very few of these chargers can charge electric vehicles in the short term.

Of the approximately 225,000 public chargers currently available in the EU, only 25,000 are suitable for fast charging. In other words, only one in nine European charging points has a fast charger (with a capacity of more than 22 kW). Other charging points (with a capacity of 22 kW or less) include many low capacity sockets.

Charging an electric car using one of these 200,000 low-tech sockets can take up to an entire night. Conversely, using a high-capacity fast charger can reduce charging time to less than an hour. Fast chargers, however, still measure only a fraction (11%) of Europe’s infrastructure network.

“To persuade more citizens to choose electric vehicles, we need to remove all the hassle associated with charging,” said ACEA General Manager Eric-Mark Huitema. “People need to see a lot of chargers in their daily environment, and these charging points need to be fast and easy to use – without having to wait in long lines.”

Charging should be as convenient and simple as refueling today. ACEA therefore urges the European Parliament and the Council to significantly strengthen the Commission proposal to ensure that Europe can build a dense network of charging and refueling infrastructure, including sufficient numbers of fast chargers in each EU Member State by 2030.