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🇧🇪 Belgium /Environment & Climate

France braces for electric car charging jams this summer

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • France anticipates significant traffic jams at electric vehicle charging stations this summer due to increased EV ownership and tourist numbers.
  • The number of public charging points has quadrupled in five years to nearly 200,000, but remains low relative to population and EV numbers.
  • Drivers are advised to avoid charging during peak lunch hours (12-2 PM) and to charge only up to 80% to reduce wait times.

France is bracing for potential "charging station traffic jams" this summer as a surge in electric vehicle ownership, fueled by rising gasoline prices, coincides with a massive influx of tourists. While the number of public charging points has quadrupled to nearly 200,000 over five years, this growth is considered insufficient given the country's size and the increasing number of EVs on the road. Belgium, a smaller nation, already surpassed 100,000 charging points last summer.

Go not charging during the lunch.

— Frank RenoutCorrespondent Frank Renout's advice to avoid charging during peak lunch hours.

Correspondent Frank Renout highlighted the dual factors contributing to the anticipated congestion: a significant increase in French EV purchases and the arrival of millions of tourists, many of whom also drive electric vehicles. This convergence of factors means more electric cars will be vying for a relatively limited number of charging stations, particularly along major highways.

The French themselves charge their electric car mainly during lunch. Then the plug goes in and they go eat something, also along the highway. They do that massively and all at the same time and can easily take 2 hours.

— Frank RenoutExplaining why the lunch hour is a critical time for charging congestion.

To mitigate the impact, drivers are being offered practical advice. Renout's "golden tip" is to avoid charging during the French lunch break, typically between 12 PM and 2 PM, when many locals charge their vehicles simultaneously. Instead, he suggests charging before or after this peak period. Additionally, drivers are encouraged to heed digital signs along highways that provide real-time information on wait times and potential issues, as well as to tune into highway radio for updates.

The tip for tourists is therefore: during the French lunch hours, drive yourself and charge the car before or after lunch.

— Frank RenoutProviding specific guidance for tourists to avoid charging delays.

Authorities also recommend charging electric vehicles only up to 80% capacity. Charging from 80% to 100% significantly extends wait times, exacerbating the problem. Some parking areas may implement traffic management, with attendants directing drivers, and special waiting zones for EVs are being established. This increased staffing and infrastructure adjustments are being implemented at highway service areas from Lille in the north to Marseille in the south.

Charging from 80 to 100 percent takes an incredibly long time and that makes the waiting times even longer.

— Frank RenoutExplaining the rationale behind the 80% charging recommendation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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