Electric Vehicle Operators in France Commit Additional €3 Billion for Rapid Charging Stations
Thirteen operators announce investment plan contingent on regulatory stability to enhance France's electric vehicle infrastructure.
On February 12, 2025, thirteen electric vehicle (EV) charging operators, including Ionity, Fastned, Electra, and Engie Vianeo, pledged to invest an additional €3 billion in ultra-fast charging stations in France by 2028. This commitment is conditional upon what they describe as 'regulatory stability' in France and Europe, particularly concerning the proposed changes to emission reduction standards by the European Union (EU).
The operators currently manage over 10,000 ultra-fast charging points across France, constituting slightly more than half of the existing infrastructure.
They expressed their intention to install an additional 30,000 ultra-fast charging stations within the next three years, contingent upon maintaining stringent emission regulations intended to phase out thermal vehicles by 2035. This regulation, known as the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard, mandates automakers to lower vehicle emissions progressively, failing which they could face hefty fines.
The automotive lobby, represented by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), supported by the French and Italian governments, has lobbied the EU Commission to avoid penalties for failing to meet the targets.
Following a period of deliberation, the European Commission announced at the end of January that it was considering 'flexibilities' to alleviate pressures on manufacturers.
Aurélien de Meaux, CEO of Electra and the newly appointed president of the recently formed Charge France association, underscored the need for investing in the EV infrastructure, stating, "If we do not know where we are heading, we cannot invest." Charge France aims to unify operators to streamline user experiences, enabling better coordination among different charging networks.
The group acknowledged the challenges electric vehicle owners face in navigating various charging cards to access competitive rates across different operators.
Brieuc de Tonquédec, responsible for Ionity in France and Benelux, noted the potential for creating comparative tools to improve user access, though he clarified that imposing uniform pricing for charging cards would not be feasible.
Ultra-fast charging stations, defined as having a power output of at least 100 kilowatts (kW), significantly outpace the charging capacities commonly available for residential use, which range from 3.7 to 22 kW.
These stations are particularly designed to facilitate quick recharging during long-distance travel, allowing drivers to recharge their vehicles in approximately fifteen to thirty minutes.
The operators currently manage over 10,000 ultra-fast charging points across France, constituting slightly more than half of the existing infrastructure.
They expressed their intention to install an additional 30,000 ultra-fast charging stations within the next three years, contingent upon maintaining stringent emission regulations intended to phase out thermal vehicles by 2035. This regulation, known as the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard, mandates automakers to lower vehicle emissions progressively, failing which they could face hefty fines.
The automotive lobby, represented by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), supported by the French and Italian governments, has lobbied the EU Commission to avoid penalties for failing to meet the targets.
Following a period of deliberation, the European Commission announced at the end of January that it was considering 'flexibilities' to alleviate pressures on manufacturers.
Aurélien de Meaux, CEO of Electra and the newly appointed president of the recently formed Charge France association, underscored the need for investing in the EV infrastructure, stating, "If we do not know where we are heading, we cannot invest." Charge France aims to unify operators to streamline user experiences, enabling better coordination among different charging networks.
The group acknowledged the challenges electric vehicle owners face in navigating various charging cards to access competitive rates across different operators.
Brieuc de Tonquédec, responsible for Ionity in France and Benelux, noted the potential for creating comparative tools to improve user access, though he clarified that imposing uniform pricing for charging cards would not be feasible.
Ultra-fast charging stations, defined as having a power output of at least 100 kilowatts (kW), significantly outpace the charging capacities commonly available for residential use, which range from 3.7 to 22 kW.
These stations are particularly designed to facilitate quick recharging during long-distance travel, allowing drivers to recharge their vehicles in approximately fifteen to thirty minutes.
