Deployment of public charging infrastructure in Flanders Region
Published on 10 January 2020
Belgium
Prov. Antwerpen
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
To address the lack of charging infrastructure, the Flemish Region implemented a public service obligations for the distribution system operator (DSO) to deploy a basic network of 5.000 extra charging points (2.500 chargers) in Flanders by 2020. The public service obligation is implemented through a yearly tender organised by the DSO for a specific number of charging points. The charging points are deployed by a CPO who receives a concession of 10 years for use of the public domain. The CPO defines the charging price and manages the charging points. They don't receive any public funding for the deployment. For each municipality, a specific target was defined. Municipalities can choose to take part in the DSO tender or to organise their own system for the deployment of the defined number of charging points. The service obligation also includes the principle 'charger follows vehicle'. According to this principle, EV owners have the right to request the installation of a charger when no alternatives (e.g. charging at home) are available.
Expert opinion
The roll-out of e-vehicles will require a corresponding roll-out of charging infrastructure, which will be a finance intensive process. Vehicles and chargers represent a chicken and egg problem, with a first mover needed, but with reluctance on both sides to make investments. This practice has a number of interesting principles that other regions can learn from: 1) no impact on the public purse as charging point operators (CPOs) take responsibility for finance; 2) Distribution Systems Operators are put in the lead and can ensure minimum disruption to the electricity grid; 3) the ‘charger follows vehicle’ principle can ensure that individuals can invest in an e-vehicle knowing that they will be able to access infrastructure, breaking the chicken-egg issue.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
0 euro
1 Full Time Equivalent
1 Full Time Equivalent
Evidence of success
For the first three years (2017, 2018, 2019), the tender contract was given to Allego. Allego was responsible to install 1290 charging points in 2017 in all but three municipalities. After one year, 91 % of them were in place. The installation of the remaining points was delayed because of external factors. Additionally, 60 'charger follows vehicle' requests were received, of which most could be met. The requests lead to an additional 6 chargers. In 2018, Allego installed 710 charging points.
Potential for learning or transfer
Ease of Implementation: Somewhat easy
Impact: Very high
Benefit-cost ratio: Very high
Impact: Very high
Benefit-cost ratio: Very high
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
other
Belgium
Prov. Vlaams-Brabant
Contact