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The matter has come under public scrutiny recently and according to industry sources the reasons for this are due to several key factors, highlighted below;
Increased Electric Vehicle Sales: A 48% increase in electric vehicle sales in the first four months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 has led to a surge in demand for charging points.
Inequitable Distribution: Charging points are not evenly distributed or always suitable for everyday use, with many stations in cities being slow-charging and relatively expensive.
Heavy Traffic: Longer waiting times occur during periods of heavy traffic, such as weekends and holiday periods, which can further exacerbate the issue.
Tesla's Virtual Queuing System: Tesla has introduced a virtual queuing system at its charging stations to inform drivers of their position in the queue and estimated waiting time, although this feature is only available to Tesla drivers.
Motorway Operator APRR's Best Practices: APRR details best practices for charging an electric vehicle to accommodate as many drivers as possible, such as parking near the charging point and charging to 80% before leaving.
These factors contribute to the growing waiting times for electric car charging in France, highlighting the need for continued infrastructure development and user-friendly practices to improve the charging experience.