Increase in electric trucks

Number of public charging points up by quarter, but stagnation looms

Published on 19-05-2025 at 08:45

Weggebruikers kunnen inmiddels terecht bij bijna 184.000 laadpunten.

The number of public charging points for electric cars increased by a quarter last year. So reports the National Charging Infrastructure Agenda (NAL), an alliance of governments, grid operators and knowledge institutes for the rollout of national charging infrastructure. Despite this increase, NAL takes into account stagnation in the long run, for example due to the congested power grid and a shortage of installers.

Road users in the Netherlands can now access nearly 184,000 charging points. This increased the national coverage rate to 83 per cent from 80 per cent in 2023. The Netherlands should have a nationwide, accessible and future-proof charging network by 2030. In every neighbourhood, except rural areas, a charging point must be available within walking distance.

Grid congestion

The pace at which charging stations were realised was slightly slower than in recent years, though. On average, the number of public charging points grew by 1,600 every month. In 2023, there were still more than 1,900 per month. The NAL attributes this in part to grid congestion in certain regions, notably Utrecht, Gelderland and Flevoland. “The increasing pressure on the electricity grid is a growing challenge for the rollout of charging infrastructure in our country,” the alliance states.

Growing number of electric trucks

At the same time, the number of electric trucks in our country is growing, partly due to emission-free zones and subsidy schemes. This means that there should also be more charging points in business parks, but that is precisely where the power grid is mostly full. This hinders the switch to electric driving, concludes the NAL.

While charging stations also offer opportunities. “By cleverly controlling the placement, use and timing of charging – e.g. via smart charging – charging infrastructure can actually contribute to smoothing peak loads and more efficient use of the existing grid”, says the NAL. “In doing so, it not only helps make mobility more sustainable, but also supports other sectors that want to electrify.”

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This article was automatically translated from the Dutch language original to English (British).

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