With nearly 250,000 electric vehicles (EVs) on the road and approximately 72,000 public charging points, Belgium stands out among European countries in terms of eMobility.
What accounts for this? Primarily, the incentives provided for company EVs, which also encourage the development of charging infrastructure.
However, there remains a stark difference between the Flemish and Walloon regions: of the 72,000 public chargers available, around 54,000 are located in Flanders.
“It is not merely a market-driven phenomenon but also a matter of political will,” comments Philippe Vangeel, Operational Director at EV Belgium, in a conversation with Mobility Portal Europe.
He emphasises: “In Flanders, this political will is clearly present, which drives the market in that region, whereas in Wallonia, we observe an opposite situation.“
This disparity is partly due to the lower presence of company electric vehicles in the southern region, leading to lower demand and, consequently, a reduced supply of charging stations.
How does the Flemish government financially support the eMobility transition?
Under the Clean Power for Transport (CPT) programme, the administration has invested approximately 23.4 million euros in project calls to cover installation costs for businesses, sports clubs, schools, and shops.
Additionally, around 31 million euros has been allocated for grants for innovative and high-speed charging stations.
In response to this gap, Wallonia launched a plan last year to increase its charging infrastructure with an investment of 15 million euros, aiming to fund the installation of 2,448 new points by 2026.
It is worth noting that Brussels, the capital of the country, is in an intermediate position, with approximately 8,000 installed public chargers.
Belgium needs a more uniform deployment
The recent elections in Belgium have shaped a political landscape where the future government could influence the continuity and ambition of eMobility policies.
Although the dominance of Vlaams Belang (far-right) in Flanders appeared definitive, the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA, Flemish nationalists) remains the largest party in the region.
In this context, the sector confirms that it is quite “clear and certain” that MR and Les Engagés will establish themselves in the south, while N-VA, Cd&v, and Vooruit will do so in the north.
Recently, Bart De Wever became a formateur after receiving approval from the five involved parties (N-VA, MR, Les Engagés, Vooruit, and CD&V) to continue discussions on the next government.
The new federal administration is expected to be formed by September 20, in time to transfer the multiannual budget to the European Commission.
What does this mean for eMobility?
If N-VA prevails, they wish to postpone the phase-out of combustion engines from 2029 to 2035, a measure that the European Union (EU) might also consider.
In this context, Philippe Vangeel’s message is clear.
“It is observed that, generally, sales of electric vehicles in Europe are experiencing a slowdown due to political instability,” he notes.
He argues that it is crucial to maintain stability with a clear long-term signal.
“Once doubts arise about whether this will truly be the future, sales tend to collapse to some extent,” he explains.
This means that doubts about political commitment to emission reduction goals and the phase-out of combustion engines could discourage consumers.
This is already reflected in registrations.
According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), in June, battery electric cars accounted for 14.4 per cent of the EU market, compared to 15.1 per cent the previous year.
This represents a one per cent decrease to 156,408 units.
Despite these challenges, Belgium maintains a prominent position in Europe in terms of charging infrastructure and EV adoption, with a significant growth in the share to 50.4 per cent.
With nearly a quarter of a million electric vehicles on the road and an expanding charging network, the country is well-positioned to compete with European leaders such as the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
