Major differences in the availability of electric charging points

The Dutch government is allocating an additional €90 million to expand the network of electric car charging points. The funding is primarily intended to close gaps in the network.

These gaps do exist: electric car owners in the Randstad have far more opportunities to charge at a public charging point than those elsewhere. This emerges from an NOS analysis of data from the Nationale Agenda Laadinfrastructuur (NAL).

The study shows major differences in the availability of public charging points across the Netherlands. In Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland, there is at least one charging point per 100 households almost everywhere. Municipalities in Limburg and the four northern provinces often have only one charging point for 300 or more households. It is understandable that more charging points have been installed in absolute terms in the Randstad provinces, but the Randstad is also much better served proportionately.

According to Roland Ferwerda of the Nationaal Kennisplatform Laadinfrastructuur, there are several explanations:

1. “To begin with, people in rural areas have more space. They are more likely to have their own driveway and therefore the option to install a private charging point.”

2. “Average prosperity is also slightly lower there, so fewer electric cars are purchased, as these generally cost more to buy than petrol or diesel cars. Municipalities therefore receive fewer requests for charging points.”

3. “Finally, there are fewer large companies with employees driving leased cars. These drivers are generally the first to ask for charging facilities, and past government incentives focused primarily on electric company cars.”

The pledged €90 million is a positive step towards closing gaps in the network and eventually giving everyone equal access to charging points. However, municipalities must ensure their procurement specifications require operators to fill these gaps as well as installing chargers at busy locations.

Source: NOS