Flanders' public charging network must triple by 2030 to keep up with demand
By 2030, the number of public charging points in Flanders will need to triple to keep pace with the rapid growth of electric vehicles, according to a study published on Thursday by RetailSonar. The two-year study was conducted with the support of Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
There are currently around 575,000 fully electric passenger cars and plug-in hybrids on Flemish roads, accounting for roughly 8.5 per cent of the total vehicle fleet. That number is expected to double by 2030, which means the region's charging infrastructure will need to keep up with that growth.
At present, Flanders has around 68,000 public charging points, with a combined capacity of about 924 megawatts. This is sufficient to meet current demand, RetailSonar's study finds. By 2030, however, the network will need to triple in size to reach a total charging capacity of 1,508 megawatts and keep up with demand. By 2050, the required capacity could rise further to 4,409 megawatts.
Municipalities lag behind
RetailSonar analysed the charging network at municipal level and found large disparities. Fewer than 20 of Flanders’ 285 municipalities have already met or nearly met their projected charging needs for 2030. Around 50 have less than a quarter of the required capacity, while roughly 100 fail to reach 50 per cent. Even in municipalities that score relatively well, significant differences exist between neighbourhoods, the study notes.
The report also highlights the need for substantial investment in the high-voltage electricity grid to support future charging demand. RetailSonar warns that charging infrastructure for electric lorries remains "in its infancy" and requires urgent attention.
According to RetailSonar, the purpose of the study is to support local authorities in making the "right decisions" when rolling out charging infrastructure, based on detailed analyses at municipal and neighbourhood level.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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