Network of charging stations for e-vehicles

By project LAST MILE

Published on 27 June 2022

Bulgaria

Severoiztochen

Varna

About this good practice

The pandemic caused an increase of individual cars use and therefore the Municipality decided to stimulate the e-cars by construction of a network of charging stations as part of the Project "Zone for paid street parking and installation of charging stations for e- cars". The project includes installation of 31 free-of-charge charging stations and a system for monitoring and management of the network. 22 stations have been installed within the blue zone of the city in 2020. Another 9 stations were located in 2021 in the southern industrial zone and are used to charge e-cars owned by the company "Municipal Parking and Blue Zone". The number of users of the network is serious. Information on their exact location is provided by a mobile application named "Varna Charging Stations". Through it you can see a map of charging points, history of charges, saved locations and real-time reference for free stations. Charging stations have high security protection and can be relied on for trouble-free charging even in rain or snow. The project was implemented by Varna Municipal transport company.

Expert opinion

Installation of charging infrastructure is a prerequisite for uptake of e-vehicles, though public authorities often struggle with whether to wait for vehicle uptake before investing in infrastructure, or vice-versa. This project, making available a network for free charging can provide an incentive for uptake of e-vehicles. While such an approach may be expensive in the long-term, it is a good way to stimulate areas with currently low uptake, switching to a paid model once a critical mass is met. The use of an app for locating available charging points is also a best practice, helping to reduce range anxiety.

Simon Hunkin

Works at Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform

Resources needed

The necessary funding is provided by the project "Tranche №2: Area for paid street parking and installation of charging stations for electric cars", funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development - € 2 100 000

Evidence of success

The number of electric cars in Varna increased dramatically (for one year from 300 to 730) with a total number of 3888 in Bulgaria.

Potential for learning or transfer

Bulgaria is by no means an example of the use of e-vehicles, but the municipality of Varna is an example for the Bulgarian municipalities in the construction of charging stations. In addition to electric cars, e-bikes and scooters, which are widely used by young people in Varna, can also be charged free of charge.