France Leads Europe's EV Charging Station Expansion, UK Slows Down
In the first nine months of this year, France added more public charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) than any other European country. Currently, France has nearly 137,000 charging stations available for EV drivers, with over one-fifth deployed in 2024. This momentum has been driven by the expansion of major networks, including nearly doubling the footprint of EDF (Électricité de France), intensified competition fueled by over 50 new entrants, and low electricity prices. The Advenir program, a €320 million ($338 million) government initiative aimed at subsidizing the construction of charging stations, is set to conclude next year and may have also stimulated the growth of charging infrastructure. As the third-largest EV market in Europe, France is not the only country experiencing robust development. Both Belgium and the Netherlands added over 20,000 new charging stations this year. However, growth has slowed in Germany and the UK. In the first three quarter...