Spain Requires 19,300 Additional Charging Points to Match Petrol Stations

By the end of 2024, Spain's electric vehicle fleet reached 420,000 units, while the public charging infrastructure expanded to nearly 39,000 points, continuing a steady growth trend surpassing European averages.

Electric mobility in Spain is advancing steadily but still faces significant challenges to reach its full potential, according to a report by Payment Innovation Hub and Afi, in collaboration with CaixaBank, Visa, and Arval. The report highlights the urgent need to expand ultra-fast charging infrastructure nationwide.

The study acknowledges the progress made but emphasises the importance of enhancing user experience and overcoming barriers hindering widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

The distribution of charging points per capita is consistent across municipalities of various sizes, averaging 0.80 points per 1,000 inhabitants nationally. "Energy transition is crucial for reducing CO2 emissions, and transport electrification is a key pillar in this process. Despite the growth in charging infrastructure, there remains significant room for improvement in electric vehicle adoption," said Silvana Churruca, CEO of Payment Innovation Hub.

CaixaBank's Sustainability Director, Eugenio Solla, stated during the report's presentation: "Aligned with our Sustainability Plan 25-27, we support solutions advancing towards a more sustainable economy. Thus, part of the over €100 billion we aim to mobilise in sustainable finance over the next three years will be dedicated to clean mobility, including investments in charging infrastructure to enhance accessibility for electric vehicle charging."

The recent AFIR regulation (Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation) establishes a common regulatory framework in Europe to boost electric mobility. Key points include requirements for more ultra-fast charging points (>150kW) on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and improved payment accessibility, including card readers on fast chargers (>50kW) and charging options without registration or contracts.

More than 50% of Spain's TEN-T network already meets the 2030 regulatory targets, and only 200 additional points are needed to achieve the set goal. However, the report stresses that to offer a user experience comparable to current petrol stations, faster deployment of infrastructure is essential to foster a more efficient, accessible, and sustainable ecosystem.

Current regulations also mandate that charging points installed from April 2024 must include card readers. However, in Spain, only 9.1% of operational points as of October 2024 had card readers, and just 4.6% featured contactless card readers, according to MITECO. This situation complicates card payments, despite a Visa study indicating that 80% of users believe card payments should be available.

Therefore, collaboration among public administrations, businesses, and the financial sector is crucial to ensure an effective transition to electric mobility. Eduardo Prieto, General Director of Visa Spain, stated: "As charging infrastructure expands to meet consumer demands, we believe charging your car should be as easy as buying a coffee. Standardisation and interoperability of payments at charging points are key to promoting digital and sustainable mobility. At Visa, we support frictionless, fast, and secure contactless experiences for all drivers."

Manuel Burdiel, Commercial Director at Arval, noted: "The automotive sector is undergoing significant changes. Spain is a global leader in car manufacturing and charging infrastructure. We must seize this opportunity and collaborate across all sectors to boost electrification in our country. At Arval, we are committed to making electric mobility accessible to all our clients, from large international corporations to smaller businesses and individuals, thereby taking another step towards a future with lower CO2 emissions."

Countries like Portugal, the Netherlands, and Denmark have developed interoperability models and infrastructure deployments that could serve as benchmarks for Spain. Portugal, notably, has made significant progress in electric mobility, increasing from 50,000 to 200,000 electric vehicles in four years, achieving an EV registration share of over 30%, thanks to interoperable payment systems and extensive fiscal incentives. "Charging infrastructure is vital for sustainable mobility deployment in Spain. We must advance in installing charging points to match neighbouring countries, meet AFIR Regulation targets for 2030 (currently halfway there), and ensure frictionless user experiences in charging and payments. Our study highlights key areas for public policy to facilitate the transition to the new electric mobility," said Diego Vizcaíno, Managing Partner of Applied Economics at Afi.

Spain has a significant opportunity to advance electric mobility by improving its charging infrastructure. With appropriate strategies, innovation, and effective regulation, the country can accelerate transport electrification, enhance electric vehicle charging accessibility, and strengthen its sustainability leadership. Investing in more ultra-fast charging points along major road corridors and improving user experience will be crucial for a swift and effective energy transition.