Why Europe’s Charging System isn’t there yet: A Norwegian perspective on what’s missing

As electric vehicles (EVs) become more common in Europe, the demand fora strong and accessible charging infrastructure is growing rapidly. Although there have been improvements, recent reports and experiences show that Europe's EV charging infrastructure still has a long way to go. In this post, we'll look at Europe's EV charging infrastructure, based on industry insights and real-world experiences from our colleagues at Fount this summer. 

Encouraging signs

During their journey from Bergen, Norway to France and Italy, our colleagues were pleasantly surprised by the growing number of public fast charging stations and professional CPOs in the countries they visited. This is also reflected in the report of European Federation for Transport and Environment, where it stated that the charging infrastructure development is growing fast, with many countries are already close to fulfilling the 2026 target [1]. This expansion is a crucial step forward, addressing one of the major barriers to EV adoption: range anxiety.The increased availability of charging points means EV drivers can now undertake long journeys with greater confidence and less worry about running out of battery.

Persistent issues: reliability and user experience

Despite the encouraging signs, we believe there are two major issues continue to hold back Europe’s EV charging system from meeting expectations. 

Reliability concerns: One of the most pressing problems is the reliability of public chargers. Many reports show that public chargers are frequently out of service, plagued by technical issues, or simply too slow, causing significant frustration for users. Our colleagues at Fount encountered several instances where they arrived at fast-charging stations only to find the chargers broken or under maintenance.

User experience challenges: The process to accessing the chargers often varies significantly between different providers, with inconsistent interfaces and confusing protocols. Many providers require special cards, apps, or subscriptions, making it cumbersome and alienating for users. This is especially frustrating during long trips or when drivers are in unfamiliar areas. A case in point is our colleague's experience at Nice Airport, a major transportation hub with approximately 100 charging spots [2]. Despite the high volume of travelers and the availability of multiple charging stations, charging was a hassle. Users had to register for a charging card and use it to access the stations. As a result, many charging spots were unused, and worse, some were occupied by non-electric vehicles.

The charging points debate: Quantity vs. Quality

The debate over whether Europe has enough EV charging points is a constant hot issue in the industry. One side argues that Europe urgently needs to expand its charging network to keep up with the rapid increase in electric vehicles. According to a report by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), there were only 632,423 public charging points at the end of 2023, with 153,027 added that year alone [3]. ACEA estimates that by 2030, Europe will need about 8.8 million public charging points, requiring 1.2 million new installations annually. This figure starkly contrasts with the European Commission's estimate of 3.5 million, which calls for only 409,654 yearly installations. Regardless of which estimate is accurate, the conclusion is clear: Europe is not expanding its charging infrastructure quickly enough. 

Conversely, many industry experts argue that adding more stations isn't the solution. They believe the real focus should be on improving the reliability and user experience of existing infrastructure. The current system is filled with problems like maintenance of chargers, complicated payment systems, and inconsistent access, which discourage potential EV users. This aligns with our colleagues' experiences where unreliable chargers and complex charging process were significant hurdles.

Yet, a crucial element often overlooked in the debate is private or non-public charging points. A report from McKinsey estimated that 29 million private charging stations that homeowners, apartment buildings and workplaces would have to installed by 2030 [4]. Recent regulations, like the Energy Performance Building Directive, which mandates EV chargers in apartment buildings, are a positive step. However, the rise of private charging points also introduces uncertainties for the overall EV charging infrastructure. As they become more common, they could significantly alter charging behaviors and present new challenges to the whole charging system.

Finding the right balance - Lessons from the leader

Both sides of the debate offer valuable insights, but the reality is that Europe must address both the quantity and quality of its EV charging infrastructure to achieve a successful transition to electric vehicles. It’s not a matter of choosing one over the other; both elements are crucial. Norway exemplifies how a well-developed EV charging network can effectively balance quantity and quality. From the country's experience, we can extract key lessons to build a better Europe's EV charging system:

Quantity: 

Widespread availability:  Norwegians expect chargers to be there wherever they stop, that being a cinema, hotel, public parking spaces, shops, workplaces, etc. The maps to find chargers are not the important anymore. 

Promote alternative transportation modes: Norway actively supports various sustainable transportation options, such as car sharing, e-bikes, and public transit, to reduce car dependency. Cities like Bergen and Oslo serve as prime examples of this commitment. In a previous interview with Fount, Lars Ove Kvalbein, an advisor at the Section for Sustainable Mobility in Bergen Municipality, commented on the new charging points specially preserved for car sharing: "Then we kill two birds with one stone. We are reducing the number of cars in the city centre, and we are getting more people to drive fossil-free." [5]

Government incentives: Strong government support, including subsidies and tax incentives for EV charger installation, has been key to Norway's success.

Quality: 

Simplify payment:  Norway's straightforward payment methods—such as credit/debit cards and mobile payments—make accessing chargers easier and more inclusive.

Enhance charger reliability: Regular maintenance and remote monitoring systems will keep chargers operational and reliable. Similar to EVs, the chargers can be remotely controlled and maintained with good software solutions, preventing the frustration of non-functional charging stations.

Proper use of EV parking spots: Effective enforcement of EV parking regulations and clear signage can help prevent non-EVs from occupying designated charging spots.

Challenges to replicating Norway’s success

While Norway’s achievements are impressive, replicating them across Europe poses challenges. Norway benefits from a modern, reliable electrical grid and abundant energy resources, supporting its extensive EV network. Many European countries, however, face outdated grids that may struggle with the increased demand from additional chargers. Moreover, the prevalence of apartment living in other European countries means many residents rely on public chargers, highlighting the need for greater infrastructure in urban areas.

Ventimiglia, Italy, is a notable example of these challenges. This old town near the French border has an electrical grid not designed for modern demands. Despite being in a popular tourist destination, our colleague only found two public charging stations in its city center, each offering slow charging up to 22 kW. EV’s are scarce there. Ventimiglia's challenges are not unique, and it raises the question whether smaller towns and their residents will be left behind in the electrification movement due to inadequate charging infrastructure. 

Building a robust EV charging system for Europe

Europe's EV charging system falls short of our expectations, and to ensure a successful and sustainable transition to electric vehicles, both the quantity and quality of charging infrastructure must be addressed. While Norway provides a valuable blueprint, its unique conditions highlight the need for tailored solutions in diverse conditions across Europe.

A smooth shift to electric mobility requires balancing the expansion of charging points with improvements in their reliability and user experience. This journey is complex and challenging, but also filled with potential. At Fount, we believe that creating an effective EV charging network in Europe requires coordinated efforts from a broad range of stakeholders, including both private and public sectors, throughout the entire value chain. We are eager to work more closely with others to address fragmentation and build a more unified and efficient charging infrastructure across the continent. 

 Source: 

[1] https://www.transportenvironment.org/articles/public-charging-in-europe-where-are-we-at

[2] https://www.nice.aeroport.fr/en/services/parking/electric-charging-terminals

[3] https://www.acea.auto/files/Charging_ahead-Accelerating_the_roll-out_of_EU_electric_vehicle_charging_infrastructure.pdf

[4] https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/automotive-and-assembly/our-insights/europes-ev-opportunity-and-the-charging-infrastructure-needed-to-meet-it 

[5] https://www.fount.energy/blog/bergen-municipality-wants-to-increase-electric-vehicle-chargers-through-sharing