You already have an electric car or you are thinking of buying one in the coming months. Then we have good news for you. Charging your car on the highway will be much simpler. Indeed, the European Union wants to facilitate the installation of charging stations in 2026.
It will require the installation of these fast charging stations (400 kW) every 60 kilometers on all motorways in Europe. By setting up such a system, Europe wants to make it easier to make long journeys on the old continent. Today, the range of electric cars and the duration of their charging are one of the main obstacles to purchasing. With more terminals, Europe wants to put all these chances on its side to end up getting rid of thermal cars.
What is the situation today?
Today France has just over 100,000 fast charging stations. The national expansion plan provides for the creation of 300,000 new charging points before 2030. This sprawling infrastructure should allow France to also abandon thermal cars from 2035.
The arrival of these new infrastructures must meet growing demand. In 2024, one in four new cars sold was an electric one. A figure that is constantly increasing, year after year. However, despite this progress, several challenges remain before the transition to electric mobility is completely seamless.
Technical and logistical challenges
Installing 400 kW terminals every 60 kilometers represents a colossal project. These so-called “ultra-fast” terminals require powerful and stable electrical connections, which are often impossible to obtain without modernizing local networks. Certain rural or mountainous areas, for example, may be more difficult to equip. In addition, the maintenance and reliability of these terminals will be essential to guarantee continuous service to motorists.
The deployment of this infrastructure also has considerable economic weight. According to several estimates, installing a single fast charging station can cost between 100,000 and 300,000 euros, depending on its power and location. The European Union therefore provides subsidies and financial aid for Member States and private operators, in order to share this bill.
An ecological objective
Some countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands, have already taken a head start with dense and efficient networks. France will have to accelerate to catch up, particularly on certain secondary axes. Ultimately, these new terminals should reassure drivers hesitant to go electric.
Making a long journey in an electric car will become almost as simple as in a thermal car: recharging for 15 to 20 minutes will allow you to recover several hundred kilometers of range. From an environmental perspective, this measure has undeniable advantages. It is part of the carbon neutrality strategy desired by Europe. Today a quarter of EU CO2 emissions are linked to road transport.
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