In the first three quarters of this year, France outpaced all other European countries in the addition of public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The country now offers nearly 137,000 charging points for EV drivers, with over one-fifth expected to be operational in 2024. This growth is driven by the expansion of major networks, including a near doubling of EDF's infrastructure, increased competition from over 50 new entrants, and low electricity prices.
The Advenir program, a government initiative with a budget of €320 million ($3.38 billion) aimed at subsidizing charging station construction, is contributing significantly to this expansion and is set to conclude next year. France, Europe's third-largest EV market, is not alone in its success; Belgium and the Netherlands have each added over 20,000 charging points this year. However, both Germany and the UK have seen a slowdown in their developments.
The UK added only 8,000 charging stations in the first three quarters of 2024, less than half of the number added in the same period the previous year. Although EV sales are rising in the UK, high electricity and grid costs are challenging the economic viability of operating charging sites. According to BloombergNEF, the UK faces the highest EV charging costs in Europe, with fast charging averaging $0.97 per kWh. In contrast, France enjoys the lowest cost at $0.54 per kWh and is one of the few nations where fast charging is cheaper than gasoline.
Charging operators are evaluating the motives and costs of expanding networks. While the relationship between charging stations, pricing, and EV sales isn't consistent across all markets, a robust charging infrastructure and affordable prices benefit EV owners significantly.
