The charging infrastructure for electric vehicles needs to be vastly increased from the numbers planned by the EU Commission, says Febiac, the Luxo-Belgian federation representing car manufacturers and importers. At the same time, they accuse the Commission of focusing on a single technology too far into the future.
The network of charging stations on the EU level is expanding too slowly, says Febiac. While car manufacturers are ready to tackle the energy transition, this relies on a vast charging infrastructure. An EU regulation has set a goal of 3.5 million charging stations for 2030, but twice as many will be needed, according to Guido Savi from Febiac Luxembourg. The Commission’s plan “Fit for 55" provides that by 2030, carbon emissions be reduced by 55 percent for cars and 50 percent for vans, and by 2035 every newly registered vehicle should produce zero emissions.
Febiac Luxembourg is ready to support this energy transition, says Guido Savi. Luxembourg itself is quite well positioned: it has the second densest charging network after the Netherlands.
The government is also supporting electromobility through a variety of subsidies. But it should not forget to keep extending the charging network as the number of electric vehicles grows.
However, the sole focus on electric vehicles far into the future is also problematic, says Febiac. The government should be open for all technological innovations, for instance synthetic fuels developed by some manufacturers, which can also substantially reduce carbon emissions.
Video report in Luxembourgish/French:
