While countries like Norway and the Netherlands are considered pioneers in the field of charging infrastructure, other countries are catching up fast.
In this interview, Linda Boll, Country Director Germany at FastNed, explains the factors that are crucial for electric mobility to function reliably across borders: political will, clear regulation, suitable locations and a high-performance power grid.
Europe is at very different stages of development. Countries such as Norway and the Netherlands are clear pioneers, while others are currently catching up fast. The decisive factor here is not so much the current state of expansion but rather political will. Where governments consistently prioritize the issue, structural hurdles can also be overcome.
Based on our experience, we can identify three key success factors: first, access to suitable locations; second, simultaneous and forward-looking expansion of the power grids; and third, a clear regulatory framework that is as uniform as possible across Europe. Only by combining these three factors will cross-border travel by electric car become reality.
Visible and reliable charging stations are equally important. They play a key role in alleviating range anxiety - often on a subconscious level - and thus strengthen overall confidence in electric mobility.
This is a joint task. Operators must provide charging infrastructure that works reliably, is intuitive to use, and offers a positive user experience. The first contact is particularly crucial: if something goes wrong during the first charging process, it has a strong deterrent effect.
At the same time, we need factual and positive communication from politicians and the media. In Germany, the ratio of electric vehicles to charging points is very good compared to other European countries, and the expansion is generally being carried out with foresight. This point is often underestimated in the public perception.
However, there is still room for improvement along the highways, because that is where it is decided whether long-distance journeys are perceived as suitable for everyday use.
Here, a lack of market access is slowing down expansion. This has a negative impact on the charging experience for customers. As things stand today, there is still a lack of practical transit and station concepts, such as those familiar to electric car drivers in the Netherlands.
Price is a key factor, especially in Germany. However, it is important to compare the right things.
Public fast charging is not comparable to charging at home. Setting up a fast charging station is costly, with investments often running into the millions and needing to be refinanced over many years.
Added to this are electricity prices, grid fees, and regulatory conditions, which are currently developing positively but cannot be directly influenced by operators. Overall, we are talking about infrastructure that is designed to last for several decades.
Competition also plays a decisive role. Where there are only a few providers, prices tend to be higher. This makes it all the more important to ensure diversity when allocating locations. Another key issue remains the lack of transparency in charging cards: final prices can differ significantly from the direct ad hoc price without consumers being able to understand why.
This is precisely one of the biggest challenges facing the industry. Technically, you get the same service everywhere; differences arise solely from billing.
The fact that identical charging processes cost different amounts depending on the payment method is difficult for consumers to understand and undermines trust. There is a clear need for action here.
These advantages are real, but not unattainable.
Converting existing gas stations into pure charging hubs is technically and economically very expensive. In many cases, it is equivalent to a complete new build – including new grid connections and the disposal of old infrastructure.
However, services such as toilets, restaurants, and lounges are clearly gaining in importance. That is why charging points with integrated kiosk or shop concepts are increasingly being created, also by us.
Our experiences to date show that such offerings significantly increase attractiveness and usage. In some countries, the trend is already moving toward fully electric rest stops.
Ultimately, it's the overall package that counts: charging capacity, quality of stay, and price and billing transparency. Today, the charging infrastructure itself is no longer an obstacle to electric mobility – even on long distances.
The cooperation varies greatly and depends heavily on local structures, responsibilities, and individual players. Local authorities play a central role in several phases: in providing space, in the approval process, and indirectly in connecting to the grid.
A key problem is that construction and grid connection procedures are often not synchronized. Even if a location has been secured, the grid connection can be delayed for years. Reasons for this can include congested grids or a lack of capacity. This highlights the importance of proactive grid expansion.
Charging infrastructure is just one component in a highly complex overall system. This makes it all the more important to better integrate processes and plan for the long term.
Thank you very much, Ms. Boll!
