Recently, the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) introduced the National Access Point, an online platform allowing drivers to check the availability of charging points for electric vehicles.
This platform provides users with detailed information, including the number of charging stations, connector availability, location, and accepted payment methods, among other relevant details.
To ensure accuracy, recharge service providers must submit all updated data on their facilities to the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge in advance.
In this regard, Xavier Castellsagué, Head of the Endolla Barcelona Unit, asserts: “Ultimately, they offer the same thing, and the user simply wants a reliable source.”
“An official and singular source is necessary for everyone, not just at the national level but on a European scale,” he emphasizes.
This measure is crucial to address concerns related to the perceived lack of charging points, a key factor in the reluctance to adopt electric vehicles.
According to the Business Association for the Development and Promotion of Electric Mobility (AEDIVE), there are currently more than 30,000 charging stations installed nationwide.
Endolla Barcelona has significantly contributed to this growth, reaching a milestone of 1,000 installed charging points in December 2023, representing a 50 percent increase in its infrastructure.
Additionally, the association highlights that, nationally, the average utilization of these charging points stands at an estimated 6 percent.
This indicates low usage of around an hour and a half per day.
Consequently, in Spain, the current charging point infrastructure is sufficient to meet the demand for zero and low-emission cars.
The installation of chargers alone is not enough to drive the transition to electric mobility.
According to Castellsagué, there are three key fundamentals to address in this shift.
“There is a challenge and a problem with communicating electromobility issues: we are confusing the user,” he asserts during an exclusive interview on day 2 of the International Mobility Portal Summit organized by Mobility Portal España.
This lack of clarity adds a barrier to entry for those potentially interested in acquiring electric vehicles.
Therefore, objective communication is essential to build trust with the consumer.
The second point addressed by the Head of the Endolla Barcelona Unit focuses on the adoption of solid-state batteries.
Currently, various manufacturers explore this technology as a replacement for lithium-ion batteries, offering substantial benefits.
Some possible advantages include increased vehicle autonomy, reduced charging time, lower weight and cost, and greater sustainability.
Toyota is one of the leading brands in the push for solid-state batteries, with plans to launch a car with this technology in 2025, although it won’t be fully electric but rather hybrid.
“These batteries will play a fundamental role and could represent 70 percent of the purchasing decision,” he emphasizes.
While this is expected to happen in the short term, as a third measure, Castellsagué points out the need to modify incentives as an essential factor in driving electric mobility.
With the eventual arrival of the fourth edition of the Moves Plan in the second semester of this year, it is anticipated that the discount will be applied directly, i.e., at the time of purchase.
“With this, it is expected that electric vehicle sales will skyrocket,” he declares.
On its part, Endolla Barcelona’s roadmap for this year includes implementing contactless payment at its charging points.
They also aim to expand stations based on demand, ensuring broader coverage when necessary.
