Why will there be twice as many charging points as service stations by 2025?
In 2025, France will see a historic shift: for the first time, the number of charging points for electric vehicles will clearly exceed the number of service stations. This trend can be explained by several key factors linked to the energy transition and public policy.
- Electric vehicle sales accelerate : With the introduction of low-emission zones (ZFE) and the announced end of new combustion engines by 2035, demand for charging points is growing exponentially.
- Massive public and private investment: the government and private operators are funding the installation of thousands of additional charge points to provide a nationwide network, in towns and cities, rural areas and on motorways.
- Evolution of the energy model : Charging stations are designed as local infrastructures, installed in car parks, supermarkets, businesses or condominiums, which means that they are more numerous than service stations, which are limited by property constraints.
- Ecological transition and energy sovereignty : Developing a dense recharging network not only helps to reduce dependence on imported oil, but also supports the climate objectives of the National Low-Carbon Strategy.
This proliferation of charging points marks the transition from a model centred on fossil fuels to more local, decentralised electric mobility that is accessible on a daily basis.
What is the distribution of charging points in France and where can I find them easily?
France has reached a symbolic milestone, with a network of charging points that is now denser than that of traditional service stations. This strategic distribution responds to a twofold challenge: guaranteeing accessibility for electric vehicle drivers and supporting the energy transition throughout the country.
Today, charging points are distributed in such a way as to cater for different uses:
- Motorways and trunk roads : equipped with fast and ultra-fast charging stations to encourage long journeys and reduce downtime, a major advantage for business fleets and private individuals on the move.
- Town centres and urban areas : A high concentration of normal and accelerated charging points, installed near public car parks, shops and residential areas, for everyday recharging.
- Rural and suburban areas : a gradual network, often supported by public-private projects, to reduce the energy divide and reassure drivers about the safety of their vehicles.autonomy.
- Strategic locations : stations, airports, shopping centres and even some traditional service stations are converting to include electric recharging.
There are several tools available to help you find a charging point:
- Specialised applications (ChargemapIzivia, Shell Recharge, etc.) offering real-time mapping and availability of charging points.
- GPS integrated into electric vehicles, optimised to suggest routes with recharging stops depending on remaining range.
- Institutional sites such as those of Avere-France or the government, which contain regularly updated official data.
This dynamic network, which outnumbers the traditional stations, underlines the fact that the electric vehicle is now a normal part of mobility in France, with greater accessibility for all users.
Are fast and ultra-fast charging points really changing the game?
Fast and ultra-fast recharging stations are now a major factor in the development of electric mobility in France. They drastically reduce waiting times and offer an experience similar to that of traditional petrol stations. But are they really making a difference to the mass adoption of electric vehicles?
- Decisive time-saving : With ultra-fast charging points (up to 350 kW), some electric vehicle models recover 80% of battery in less than 30 minutes, which reduces the psychological strain of autonomy.
- A strategic network : Public and private players are extending their networks along motorways, in shopping areas and in major conurbations, turning the accessibility of charging stations into a competitive advantage over traditional service stations.
- Greater appeal for fleets and professionals: Having fast charging points is a major advantage for companies looking to electrify their fleets without keeping their vehicles idle for too long.
- A response to criticism of everyday use: The increase in these infrastructures is reassuring hesitant motorists, showing that the electric vehicle is now a viable alternative, even for long journeys.
By combining charging power, accessibility and territorial coverage, these fast and ultra-fast charging stations are not just supporting the transition: they are helping to change the way the French think about electric mobility.
What are the differences between charging stations and traditional service stations?
While service stations and charging points meet the same need (refuelling a vehicle), the way they operate and are used are very different. This distinction also shapes the development of the energy network in France and its impact on sustainable mobility.
- Type of energy distributed : The traditional service station supplies fossil fuels (petrol, diesel), while the charging station supplies the electric vehicle with electricity, often from renewable sources.
- Method of consumption : Filling up with petrol takes a few minutes, while electric recharging varies according to the power of the charging points - from domestic slow charging to ultra-fast recharging on motorways.
- Network location : Service stations are still concentrated on main roads and motorways, while charging points are being deployed in everyday locations (public car parks, supermarkets, businesses, condominiums), increasing proximity and convenience.
- User experience : the service station requires a dedicated journey, whereas the charging point is integrated into the natural parking time, transforming the act of "filling up" into a more discreet and integrated activity.
- Environmental issues : the service station contributes to CO₂ emissions, while the massive development of charging points is helping to drive the energy transition and achieve carbon neutrality targets.
In France, the rapid growth in charging points is not just replacing service stations, it is completely redefining the way in which we imagine mobility and organise access to energy for electric vehicles.
Are the charging points sufficiently reliable and available to users?
Although France now has more charging points than petrol stations, the question of their reliability and real accessibility remains central for motorists wishing to switch to electric vehicles. Not only do users want a sufficient number of charging points, they also want an efficient, consistent service.
- Availability : According to the latest figures from Avere-France, between 85 and 90% of public charging points are operational at any one time. However, disparities persist depending on the region and the type of charging point (accelerated vs. fast).
- Rapid recharging still limited : While slow-charging stations cover the country well, stations equipped with fast-charging stations, which are essential for long journeys, are fewer in number and concentrated on major motorway routes.
- Maintenance and software updates : Some users are complaining about a lack of technical support, resulting in bollards being out of service for several days or even weeks. Improving maintenance contracts is therefore a key issue.
- Interoperability and means of payment : reliability also means ease of use. The possibility of paying directly by credit card or via interoperable applications is still too uneven across the networks.
What does the future hold for service stations in the face of the rise of recharging stations?
The rise of electric vehicles is overturning a landscape long dominated by traditional service stations. With more recharging points than petrol pumps in France, the question of the future of these infrastructures is becoming central. The players in the petrol sector need to consider a far-reaching transformation, or risk seeing their business model crumble.
A number of developments are underway or planned:
- Diversification of services : More and more stations are installing fast-charging stations to maintain their strategic role on major roads.
- Transformation into multiservice hubs : In addition to fuel, these venues are banking on restaurants, coworking spaces and proximity to shops to remain attractive.
- Partnerships with energy suppliers: Strategic alliances are being developed between oil groups and electricity companies to speed up the installation of recharging infrastructure.
- Reorientation towards alternative forms of mobility : Some stations could switch to hydrogen, bioNGV or hybrid solutions to help with the global energy transition.
What are the government's targets for charging points between now and 2030?
The French government has set ambitious targets to support the transition to electric vehicles on a massive scale by 2030. The aim of these measures is to guarantee a sufficient, accessible and efficient network of charging stations throughout the country. The main ambitions include
- To achieve a total of 7 million charging points installed by 2030, including both private and public points, to meet the growing needs of electric vehicle users.
- Provide 400,000 publicly accessible recharging points, including 50,000 high-power terminals, enabling rapid recharging in 15 to 20 minutes.
- Develop a dense and balanced network across all types of territory: in urban areas for daily recharging, in suburban and rural areas to support local mobility, and on major roads to facilitate long-distance journeys.
- Encourage the integration of intelligent recharging control technologies to optimise electricity consumption and avoid peaks in demand.
- Improve the user experience by increasing the transparency of real-time data (location, availability, fares) via open data platforms, enabling easy and reliable access to information.
- Speed up the time taken to connect charging points, particularly in condominiums and businesses, to democratise access to recharging.
These objectives are part of an overall strategy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, respond to the rapid growth in the number of electric vehicles on the road, and help France move towards cleaner, more sustainable mobility. The government is therefore launching a major drive to make electric charging as simple and effective as filling up at a traditional service station.
How are charging stations transforming electric mobility in France?
Charging stations now play a central role in the growth of electric mobility in France. The number of charging points now exceeds the number of traditional service stations, a major turning point that is reshaping travel habits and boosting the adoption of electric vehicles. This transformation is based on several key dynamics:
- Greater accessibility : With an ever denser network, electric vehicle drivers can find recharging points in major cities, on motorways and in rural areas.
- Comfort of use : recharging at home or in the workplace is added to the public charging points, making it easier to be self-sufficient in energy on a daily basis, where service stations are still a logistical constraint.
- Accelerating the energy transition : recharging infrastructure encourages the switch to electric cars by reducing the fear of running out of fuel, which still holds many motorists back.
- Technological innovation : Ultra-fast charging stations, simplified payment and connected services mean that journeys can be optimised and electric vehicles can become an integral part of users' lives.
By transforming the way we access energy, these charging stations do more than simply replace the petrol station: they introduce a new model of mobility that is more sustainable, more fluid and better adapted to the climatic and regulatory imperatives that are shaping the future of transport in France.
Summary table
| Theme | Key points |
|---|---|
| Historical seesaw | By 2025, there will be more charging points than service stations in France. |
| Causes | Increase in the number of electric vehicles, public/private investment, proximity of charging points, ecological transition. |
| Breakdown |
|
| Differences between stations and terminals | Energy (fossil vs. electric), recharging time, location, integration with car parks, environmental impact. |
Conclusion
France is at an historic turning point, with a network of charging points that is now denser than that of petrol stations, symbolising the transition to accessible, sustainable electric mobility. This development, supported by ambitious public policies and private investment, is transforming driving habits, encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles and redefining the organisation of road space.
Between increased accessibility, technological innovation and a reduction in thecarbon footprintCharging stations don't just replace service stations: they establish a new model of mobility, integrated into everyday life and aligned with France's climate and energy objectives.
You would like toto electric?
Beev offers multi-brand 100% electric vehicles at the best prices, as well as recharging solutions.
