The French seem to be experiencing the same problems when it comes to charging stations for electric cars. The consumer association, UFC-Que Choisir, brings to light the difficulties with the country’s network of charging stations, as reported by the French population.
In a recent publication on November 27th, the association unveils an investigation into the state of charging stations for electric vehicles. This serves as an opportunity to shed light on the “shortcomings in the development of the network” and the “opacity of the pricing system.”
According to the report, a major concern is the delay in the installation of charging stations. The study seriously questions the government’s ability to reach 400,000 recharge points by 2030, especially since the milestone of 100,000 was only achieved in May 2023, a year and a half behind schedule.
While the UFC-Que Choisir acknowledges an improvement and “acceleration of deployment” of charging stations, it expresses apprehension about “the persistence of ‘white zones’ for public recharging.”
One of the major issues highlighted is the pricing system. The lack of availability could lead to congestion issues at the charging stations. Moreover, the problem of opaque pricing still persists. The association laments the “absence of rules ensuring consumers to compare prices,” which could lead to “pricing aberrations.” This is due to the additional fees that can vary from one charging point to another or the pricing model based on the amount of electricity consumed.
To illustrate their point, the association conducted tests, revealing a kWh range from 0.39 euros to 2.12 euros. It was even found that a full charge for a Peugeot e-208 could cost as much as 68.77 euros, “nearly ten times more expensive than charging at home.”
In response to these issues, the association puts forward various proposals. It calls for “mandatory framework for the deployment of publicly accessible charging stations nationwide for daily and long-distance mobility.” Regarding pricing, it demands “mandatory, harmonised, and accessible display of electric charging tariffs for all public charging stations,” as well as the option to pay for charging via credit card to enhance user convenience. Additionally, it urges for “opening up data on all prices offered at all charging points across the country” to enable drivers to compare prices, similar to the process of refuelling with petrol.
In summary, the UFC-Que Choisir study critiques the development and pricing transparency of charging stations for electric cars in France. It also presents recommendations for the government to address these issues.