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The development of kerbside charging infrastructure
Recent progress
Electric vehicle charging technology in France has made significant advances. Among the most significant innovations, rapid charging has become a priority for public authorities, private operators and manufacturers, considerably reducing the time needed to recharge an electric vehicle. battery. Fast-charging stations can now recharge a car in as little as 30 minutes, making electric vehicles more practical for everyday use and long journeys.
In addition, wireless charging is gaining ground, although uptake is still limited due to high initial costs and limited interest from some manufacturers. However, companies like Tesla are at the forefront, developing induction charging technologies that could soon become more commonplace.
The number of charging points has increased considerably, even exceeding the number of service stations in some regions, demonstrating France's commitment to electric mobility. Efforts have been made to integrate clean and renewable energy sources to power these infrastructures, with initiatives aimed at making green energy more accessible and competitive.
Ambitious projects such as the French government's France RelanceThe aim is to turn every motorway rest area into an express recharging zone, ensuring that long journeys by electric car are as convenient as possible.
These technological advances and the expansion of installations show that France is on the right track for a successful transition to electric mobility, with infrastructure that meets the growing needs of electric vehicle drivers.
Pioneering towns
A number of French cities have made significant investments in charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, demonstrating their commitment to sustainable mobility:
- Paris the French capital has not only expanded its range of EPZbut has also invested massively in therecharging infrastructureThe city of light is renowned for its strict measures limiting the use of the most polluting combustion-powered vehicles in the city centre. The City of Light is renowned for its strict measures limiting the circulation of the most polluting combustion-powered vehicles in the city centre.
- Lyon and Marseille In the United States, for example, these cities are following each other closely with similar initiatives, such as integrating recharging infrastructures into urban development plans, and adopting regulations aimed at reducing the number of combustion-powered vehicles on the roads.
- La-Roche-sur-Yon an innovative city with integrated solutions such as charging stations in lampposts, making it easier to recharge without the need for major infrastructure work.
- AubervilliersThe city is notable for its proactive approach, installing fast-charging stations in partnership with private and public players, thereby supporting the use of clean vehicles even for short stops.
These efforts are supported by national programmes such as ADVENIR which finances the installation of charging points, encouraging businesses and local authorities to develop their own charging networks. These local initiatives are part of a wider context in which France, with the help of the European Commission and industry players, is seeking to extend its charging network to facilitate a smooth transition to electric mobility.
Paris: focus on a leading city
Paris stands out as a leader in terms of investment in recharging infrastructure for electric vehicles. The city has taken steps to reduce pollution and encourage electric mobility among residents and visitors.
What are the major developments?
- Extension of EPZsParis: Paris has introduced a single EPZ covering the entire area bounded by the A86 motorway. This metropolitan EPZ includes the city of Paris and neighbouring municipalities.
- Investment in recharging infrastructure: The city has increased the number of public charging points available, From the beginning of 2023 to the present day, the number of very high-power recharging stations has doubled.
- Government grants and supportParis benefits from the ADVENIR programme, which finances up to 40 % of the installation of recharging stations, encouraging local businesses and public authorities to develop their own recharging networks.
These efforts make Paris an example of an urban transformation geared towards cleaner, more sustainable mobility, by anticipating the growing need for recharging infrastructure to support a more sustainable economy. fleet of electric vehicles expanding. The city continues to invest in advanced charging technologies and to promote policies that support the ecological transition, while improving the quality of urban life.
Also read → Charging stations: what's the current state of deployment?
The benefits of accessible and affordable recharging
Impact on the ecological transition
The development of electric vehicles, combined with an adequate recharging infrastructure, makes a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The use of electricity, especially when it is produced from renewable sources, reduces the amount of greenhouse gases emitted.carbon footprint vehicles.
For example, the carbon content of electricity can vary significantly depending on the source, from 78g CO2/km for solar energy to more than 1kg of CO2 for coal. Adopting a renewable electricity mix therefore helps to minimise the environmental impact of electric vehicles.
The absence of direct emissions of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and fine particles from electric vehicles means a significant improvement in air quality in urban areas. This contributes directly to better public health by reducing air pollutants linked to road traffic. This improvement is all the more significant as recharging infrastructures encourage greater use of electric vehicles.
Finally, adopting smart charging strategies, such as controlling charging during off-peak hours or using integrated energy management systems, optimises the use of energy resources and reduces dependence on fossil fuels. These practices can also improve the efficiency of the electricity grid and encourage the integration of more renewable energies, thereby increasing overall environmental benefits.
Facilitating electric mobility
In France, the development of public charging infrastructure has closely followed the increase in the number of electric vehicles on the road. By 2022, the ratio was a public charging point for 8 electric vehiclessurpassing the European Commission's initial target of one terminal for every 10 vehicles.
This increase is a response to the rapid growth of the electric car market, with the number of charging points now exceeding that of traditional service stations. This increased density of charging points makes electric vehicles more accessible for everyday use and for long journeys, reducing one of the main barriers to the purchase of an electric vehicle.
The adoption of smart charging is another key factor facilitating the uptake of electric cars. Intelligent charging management systems can smooth out energy demand, optimise the use of renewable energy resources, and reduce energy costs for consumers. Not only do these technologies enable electric cars to be better integrated into the electricity grid, they also make the use of electric vehicles more economically advantageous.
Impact on users
The expansion of IRVEs is having a profound influence on users' travel habits. In most households with an electric vehicle, it subsequently becomes the main vehicle in most cases. In comparison with previous years, there has been an increase in users' confidence in electric mobility, thanks to improved access to recharging infrastructure.
Nevertheless, despite an increase in the use of public charging points, the majority of electric vehicle userss (85 %) continue to charge mainly at home. This underlines the importance of home infrastructure in integrating electric cars into users' daily lives.
The future of electric car charging in France
Future trends
Extending and densifying recharging infrastructures
Charging infrastructure in France is set to continue to expand significantly. The French government has already achieved the target of 100,000 public charging points and is now aiming for 400,000 points by 2030. This expansion is crucial to keep pace with the increase in the number of electric vehicles, with forecasts indicating that they could represent between 20 % and 40 % of the French car fleet by 2035.
Ultra-fast, wireless recharging
Fast and ultra-fast charging technologies are booming. Charging points of 150 kW or more, which can recharge an electric vehicle in less than 30 minutes, are becoming the norm. For example, initiatives such as those by Engie and Vianeo are planning to install thousands of ultra-fast charging points by 2025.
Wireless charging, although less widespread at present, is a promising technology for the future. It offers an enhanced user experience by eliminating cables and making charging easier to access, especially in urban areas where parking is limited. Companies such as Tesla are actively exploring these technologies with a view to integrating them into their future models.
Integrating renewable energies and intelligent energy management
The integration of renewable energies into charging infrastructure is a key trend in reducing the carbon footprint of EVs. Charging stations powered by solar or wind energy are becoming more common, contributing to a sustainable energy transition. At the same time, intelligent energy management technologies, such as smart grids, are maximising the use of renewable energies and reducing charging costs for users.
Developing recharging infrastructure in rural areas
While urban areas already benefit from a relatively high density of charging points, attention is now turning to rural areas. The aim is to ensure uniform national coverage to facilitate long journeys and make electric mobility accessible to all. Initiatives such as the "France Relance" project aim to install charging points at every motorway rest area, thereby reducing "white zones" for charging.
Future innovations
The future of IRVE in France promises many innovations to improve the efficiency and availability of charging stations:
- Ultra-fast recharging: ABB has unveiled a new generation of fast chargersthe Terra HPcapable of recharging a vehicle in just a few minutes. These 350 kW charging points are designed to be installed in recharging stations along motorways and in major conurbations.
- Bidirectional charging : Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Building (V2B) enable electric vehicles to return the energy stored in their batteries to the grid or to a building. Nissan and Mitsubishi are pioneers in this field, with pilot projects underway in Europe and Asia.
- Charging points in underground car parks : Q-Park plans to install 4,000 charging points in its car parks by 2025, while Total and Indigo are launching fast-charging stations in several car parks in France.
- Wireless charging stations : Although still in the experimental phase, wireless charging is a promising technology for the future. It would make charging points more accessible, particularly in dense urban areas where space is limited.
Also read → Are electric cars the future?
Long-term objectives
To achieve sustainable electric mobility, the French government and local authorities have set ambitious targets in line with environmental commitments and the growing need for recharging infrastructure.
National targets in figures
- 100,000 recharging points by 2023 : France already exceeded this target in May 2023 by installing more than 118,000 charging points, exceeding initial expectations and laying the foundations for continued expansion.
- 7 million recharging points by 2030 : This figure includes both public and private charging points, with the aim of guaranteeing extensive and accessible coverage throughout the country. This ambition is supported by financial incentives and subsidy programmes for the installation of charging points in businesses and homes.
End of sales of new combustion-powered vehicles by 2040 : As part of the Mobility Orientation LawThe government is aiming to ban the sale of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles that use fossil fuels, thereby encouraging the transition to electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
What are the local and municipal initiatives?
- Low Emission Zones : Major cities such as Paris, Lyon and Marseille have introduced EPZs to reduce CO2 emissions and improve air quality. These zones ban or restrict access to the most polluting vehicles, encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles.
Deployment of fast-charging stations : Projects such as "France Relance" aim to equip every motorway rest area with fast-charging stations, making long journeys in electric vehicles easier. Public-private partnerships, notably with companies such as Total and Indigo, are contributing to this expansion, with installations planned in a number of car parks and public spaces.
What are the environmental and economic challenges?
- Carbon neutrality by 2050 : Aligned with Paris AgreementsFrance is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. This transition implies a massive electrification of the car fleet and the promotion of renewable energies to power recharging infrastructures.
- Developing the battery industry : The national battery strategy, part of the France 2030 plan, aims to establish battery mega-factories in France. This initiative supports the production of two million electric vehicles a year and the creation of thousands of jobs in the green technology sector.
Conclusion
The growth in kerbside charging of electric vehicles in France is therefore a key element in the transition to sustainable mobility. With more than 118,000 charging points installed and ambitious targets for 2030, France is a leader in Europe. Technological innovations, public policies and local initiatives are converging to make electric mobility accessible and efficient, helping to reduce CO2 emissions and improve air quality. The future of electric mobility in France looks promising, with recharging infrastructures constantly evolving to meet the growing needs of users.
