With over 665,000 public and private charging points currently in operation and the expectation of reaching 1.7 million by 2030, the Dutch electric mobility market is one of the most advanced in Europe.
However, the price disparity between “refuelling” stations, even in nearby locations, represents a significant challenge for users, with differences that can reach up to 30 per cent.
In this context, Jeroen Jonker, Business Consultant e-Mobility & Energy, tells Mobility Portal Europe: “I do not believe that charging should be regulated in terms of prices, but there should be more transparency.”
How would this work? By allowing drivers to know the costs before connecting the vehicle, through applications that display real-time rates.
“This would help users make informed decisions,” the expert notes.
It would also enable better planning of their recharges and avoid surprises on their bills.
A report by the local media outlet NOS documents the price differences between stations located in the same area.
According to their investigations, on a street in Amsterdam, the cost at one point can be 32 cents per kilowatt-hour, while just four metres away, it rises to 44 cents.
This represents a 30 per cent increase, which translates into significant savings for the driver.
Not only this, but the cost of a full charge can vary considerably depending on the city.
According to the report, the most expensive charger in the Netherlands is located in Sudwest Friesland, while the cheapest is in Ameland, being two and a half times more economical.
The price of electricity at these points is determined by several factors, such as the operator of the station, the card used for refuelling, maintenance costs, and the energy contract backing the supply.
Despite this, the specialist highlights that the Netherlands has a solid infrastructure, with fast chargers along the motorways and numerous alternating current units in cities and towns.
“I am not concerned about accessibility, what worries me is the congestion of the electrical grid, which is a major issue in the country,” he states.
The nation currently faces a significant challenge regarding the potential collapse of the electricity supply caused by electric vehicle (EV) charging and the imbalance between renewable energy supply and the demand from businesses and homes.
Since 2019, there has been a constant increase in the number of charging points, reaching a record in 2023 with the installation of over 1,900 new stations per month.
With one point for every 100 people, the nation leads Europe both in the number of chargers per capita and per kilometre.
This responds to the growing demand generated by the adoption of electric vehicles.
According to Jeroen Jonker, the incentives in the Netherlands are effective, and “education about the long-term economic benefits of EVs compared to petrol ones is crucial.”
Nevertheless, the Dutch Association for Electric Mobility (NAL) warns that the deployment rate must increase significantly to keep pace with the expected growth of EVs.
What solution could be implemented to reduce the congestion of the electrical grid?
For much of the sector, the answer lies in smart charging and the use of Vehicle to Grid (V2G) or bidirectional charging.
These systems allow cars to “refuel” mainly outside peak hours and use them as temporary energy storage, returning electricity to the grid when demand is high.
This would help alleviate the congestion of the electrical supply and contribute to a greater use of locally generated sustainable electricity.
However, Jeroen Jonker does not see it as a solution.
“It’s a nice idea, but managing it would be very complex,” he argues.
For this reason, he offers an alternative: “Domestic batteries would be a more practical solution to balance energy demands.”
These can store energy when the sun shines during the day, either from their own solar panels or from the grid at low (or even negative) prices, while the owner is away with the electric vehicle.
“They can then charge their EVs overnight from their domestic battery,” he explains.
Another proposal suggested for public charging at one point was that stations be disconnected between 16:00 and 21:00.
Stedin, a Dutch regional grid operator, has requested this measure, arguing that the infrastructure reaches its limit during those hours.
The operator estimates that for every station disconnected during the evening peak hour, a new home could be connected to the grid.
