Certain charging stations along Dutch motorways must be removed due to a legal conflict about the granting of permits for these charging stations, according to Nederlands Minister Barry Madlener of Infrastructure and Water Management
Acccording to local newspaper, De Telegraaf, this has already happened at about twenty locations. It is not known exactly how many charging stations are involved. Madlener states that it is a 'very limited number'. The charging stations in question were installed before permits were finalised, a process that normally takes six weeks
He notes that the total number of charging stations along the highways is still increasing, with a growth from around 1,000 at the end of 2022 to more than 1,400 currently.
The rather bizarre turn of events has everything to do with a temporary policy rule that was introduced in 2022. This rule prohibits the issuance of long-term permits for new charging stations at service areas along highways. This policy has been put in place in order to first be able to decide on the future of petrol stations and the associated infrastructure.
Although this measure was intended to prevent petrol stations from already transforming into mainly electric charging points, in practice it leads to the removal of charging stations.
The fact that Fastned has filed several legal proceedings against competing operators of charging stations along the highways has to do with the fact that the operator believes that the government does not apply the same rules to different providers.
According to Fastned, this does not guarantee a level playing field. Industry association Vemobin is calling for a quick adjustment of the disputed policy rule from 2022, or a clear decision on the future of service areas, to prevent further uncertainty and the removal of charging stations.
Original story Charging stations along motorways disappear due to permit conflict | MobilityEnergy.com
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