We see the street scene in the Netherlands changing. Electric vehicles are the rule rather than the exception and the number of charging points is also increasing rapidly. At the time of writing, the Netherlands has about 107,000 public charging points, but by the time you read this blog, that number has already increased significantly. What are all these charging points for and is it really necessary to expand the number at this rate? We’ll tell you more about that in this blog. Enjoy the read!
More and more electric cars
Perhaps you already own an electric car yourself or you are orienting yourself in the world of electric vehicles. One thing is certain; you are not alone. At the beginning of 2020, the Netherlands still had about 100,000 electric cars. By September 2022, that number had tripled. For the first time, more than 300,000 electric cars were driving on Dutch roads.
We don’t need to have a crystal ball to tell you that this number is going to rise much faster in the coming years. Not least because the last climate agreement decided that all new cars must be emission-free from 2030. This means that all new cars must run on electricity or hydrogen. To provide power to all these electric vehicles, the charging infrastructure in the Netherlands must expand considerably. In fact, 1.9 million charging stations are needed for all these new electric vehicles.
Find the nearest charging stations in the Netherlands
Want to take a long drive and are curious about the charging stations that are on your route? Click here and look for public charging stations in your area. It is important to check this well in advance, so there are no surprises.
Due to the changing infrastructure, we see the (public) charging station appearing more and more along the road. The number of charging stations is also increasing significantly outside the Netherlands. The different types of charging stations are explained below.
Public
Public charging stations are an important part of the infrastructure for electric cars in the Netherlands. They are available to everyone who owns an electric car and ensure that people without their own charging station can still charge on the road.
Public charging stations are often found at parking garages, shopping centers, and other public locations. This makes it easy for people to charge their vehicles while they store or work, for example. There are different types of public charging stations in the Netherlands, including fast chargers and normal charging points.
Normal charging stations charge the car with low power and therefore take longer to charge the car, while fast chargers charge the car faster but are often a bit more expensive to use. However, it is advisable to check in advance whether public charging stations are available and whether the charging station used requires a subscription or pass.
Quick charging points
Quick chargers are chargers specifically designed to charge electric vehicles faster than traditional chargers. This makes fast chargers ideal for people who are often on the road and want to charge their cars quickly. There are different types of fast chargers available, such as AC fast chargers and DC fast chargers.
AC fast chargers work by offering a higher voltage to the car, while DC fast chargers work by supplying power directly to the car’s battery. DC fast chargers are often faster than AC fast chargers because they charge the car’s battery directly.
There are also fast chargers available that use solar panels, which are also an efficient way to charge electric vehicles. Fast chargers are especially useful for people who are often on the road, such as truck drivers or people who often travel long distances.
Charging points in Europe
Charging points for electric vehicles are now increasingly available throughout Europe. This makes it easy for electric vehicle owners to travel long distances, both for daily trips and vacations. This is particularly useful for those going on winter sports or enjoying any other kind of vacation, as there are often plenty of charging points available at ski resorts and vacation parks.
Some countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland already have an extensive network of charging stations along highways, making it easy to recharge on the go. There are also several apps available that show the location of charging stations, so you always know where to go. This makes it easier to use an electric car for long distances, and is an important step toward a more sustainable transportation sector.
Apply for charging point in your area?
An electric car is a smart choice for the environment and the wallet. But to drive without worry, you need access to enough charging stations. Not everyone has the ability to purchase their own charging station. That’s why you can request public charging points from Opcharge.
Our regions
Opcharge works with several major municipalities. Throughout the country we are able to apply for charging points for you. The regions where we are currently active are: Tilburg, Eindhoven, Breda, Apeldoorn, Leiden, Dordrecht, Amersfoort, Culemborg, Dongen, Helmond, Loon op Zand, Papendrecht, Kapelle and Sliedrecht.
Is your region not listed here? Opcharge is expanding rapidly and we are doing everything we can to be available in your region at short notice. Do you live or work in the above regions? Contact Opcharge today and request your desired charge point(s)!