In cooperation between Elektrum Eesti and Olerex, one of the most powerful and nationwide electric vehicle (EV) charging networks in Estonia is being built.
Over the course of the three-year project, 62 Olerex service stations will be equipped with a total of 170 fast and ultra-fast chargers with a combined capacity of 18.5 MW.
The first 300 kW ultra-fast chargers have been installed at Olerex service stations in Paide, Tartu, Rakvere, Võru, and Türi.
By the end of 2025, another 28 ultra-fast chargers are planned to be installed, and the entire infrastructure is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
In the near future, EV charging will be possible at nearly all major Olerex service stations.
Reducing charging anxiety
According to Agnes Makk, CEO of Elektrum Eesti, the new network will not focus solely on major hubs – chargers will also be installed in smaller towns, on larger islands, and in border areas.
This will significantly reduce the charging anxiety, which today remains one of the biggest obstacles for potential EV buyers.
“Electric vehicles will soon be just as convenient to use as internal combustion engine cars. With fast and ultra-fast chargers installed at most Olerex service stations along Estonia’s main roads, drivers will be able to recharge their batteries during a short lunch or rest break,” explains the Elektrum CEO.
“That’s why, when choosing a partner, it was important for us that a sufficient number of the stations receiving charging capacity are located at key road junctions and offer additional services alongside refueling,” he adds.
Piret Miller, CEO of Olerex, adds that although today’s EV owners are mostly located in densely populated areas and charge primarily at home, it is crucial to make fast charging available on roads for long-distance travel.
“In neighboring countries, EVs are more popular mainly because well-developed charging infrastructure makes them easy and convenient to use,” she states.
“The network being built in cooperation with Elektrum will become the most extensive fast-charging network in Estonia, offering drivers charging opportunities at familiar and comfortable rest stops. Good availability of fast charging is also essential for companies using electric vans and trucks, which require a reliable partner for their daily logistics. Our goal is to make EV use a real option even in regions where charging opportunities have been limited,” she explains.
The 150 and 300 kilowatts fast and ultra-fast chargers to be installed will provide 100–160 kilometers of range in just ten minutes for an average EV, depending on the vehicle’s maximum charging capacity.
The planned network will be able to simultaneously serve up to 170 EVs, offering far more comprehensive coverage and faster charging across Estonia.
Charging network expanding rapidly
According to Andrus Liivand, Member of the Management Board of Elektrum Eesti, nearly 10,000 electric vehicles are currently registered in Estonia.
However, to meet European climate targets, the adoption of EVs must accelerate significantly.
For EVs to become a daily choice for most Estonians, the development of charging infrastructure must progress much faster.
Consumers, he says, need encouraging signals from all parties involved – not only from infrastructure developers, but also car manufacturers and dealers, site partners, real estate developers, public authorities, and local governments.
“Elektrum’s investment of over 50 million euros will create more than 1,000 Elektrum Drive charging points across Estonia by the end of the decade. By the end of 2025, there will be 330 devices, over 600 by the end of 2026, and 800 by the end of 2027,” says Liivand.
The project is supported by the Connecting Europe Facility, which is contributing 1.9 million euros towards the installation of an ultra-fast charging network with a capacity of 38,300 kW.
Elektrum Eesti is an energy retail company offering electricity, natural gas, solar energy, and EV charging solutions under the Elektrum Drive brand.
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