Following its recent presentation, the electric mobility sector is looking with anticipation at the Circular 1/2024 of the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC).
Scheduled to come into force in April, this regulation promises to simplify the process of connecting to the electricity grid, which is key to the massive deployment of charging points.
However, the industry is questioning whether this will be enough to overcome current barriers.
“It is expected to simplify processes, facilitate implementation, reduce bureaucracy and streamline procedures,” Antonio José Pérez Sánchez, CEO of Mi Cargador de Coche, tells Mobility Portal España.
The legislation introduces tools such as a digital platform to manage access to the network and requires electricity operators to update power availability on a monthly basis.
It also establishes specific criteria for refuelling stations, eliminating unnecessary documentation and enabling abbreviated procedures.
For many experts, these measures are promising, but their effectiveness will depend on how they are implemented.
“The Circular is a small thing,” says Jorge H., a sector specialist, to Mobility Portal España.
In this regard, he explains that a rule should be established with “strong penalties and response times.”
As an example, he points to the models of India and France, which have shown that strict timelines and clear sanctions are essential to drive rapid progress.
“It is similar to the regulations that establish the installation of charging points in the parking lots of shopping centres, among other locations,” he says.
And he elaborates: “As long as there is no penalty for this, even if a grace period is given, we will continue to have sites that do not comply with the law.”
Another relevant aspect is transparency.
The Circular requires detailed justifications for any denial of access, a significant change from current practices.
This, together with a public power map that allows CPOs to know in advance the locations for installing chargers, would not only optimize projects, but would allow for more precise planning, reducing lead times.
The link between the Circular and the new REBT
According to industry experts, Circular 1/2024 could be complemented by the recent revision of the Low Voltage Electrotechnical Regulation (REBT), published in the BOE on November 7.
This updates the regulations for electrical installations, promoting technologies such as photovoltaic self-consumption and electric mobility.
The main objectives of the new REBT include ensuring safety, optimising energy efficiency and aligning national laws with European ones.
A more advanced version of the regulation is expected to be published in 2025, addressing current regulatory gaps.
In this way, the Circular, together with the REBT, could provide the necessary impetus for the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure nationwide.
Challenges and opportunities for CPOs
Today, CPOs face significant challenges, from administrative delays to technical uncertainties.
This forces them to wait long periods of time to activate their chargers, which sometimes causes problems of technological obsolescence and damages their reputation among users.
The Circular is expected to alleviate some of these pressures by reducing the times for connection to the grid.
In this context, it is necessary to anticipate market demands by investing in electrical infrastructure.
This includes both strengthening the existing network and building new substations.
The success of Circular 1/2024 will depend on effective collaboration between the CNMC, electricity operators and CPOs, as well as on the correct implementation of the technical aspects.
“Details make the difference,” says Arturo Pérez de Lucía González, General Director of the Business Association for the Development and Promotion of Electric Mobility (AEDIVE).
What are the next steps?
The legislation will come into force three months after the day following its publication in the Official State Gazette, scheduled for 12 January.
From that date, a period of ten months is established for the adaptation of the contents on the web platforms.
