The recent governmental transition in Belgium raised questions regarding the future of electric mobility in the country.
While the sector has already reached a certain level of maturity, Pluginvest believes that governmental support remains essential, albeit with a different approach.
“I am not in favour of substantial subsidies, as they can sometimes distort the market,” states CEO Sander Hereijgers at the “Storage, Renewable, and Electric Vehicles Integration Forum,” organised by Strategic Energy Corp.
He further asserts: “Governmental support can also be provided by streamlining the permitting process.”
As in other European nations, the deployment of charging stations in Belgium faces bottlenecks due to lengthy approval times.
The installation of new high-voltage cabins, charging stations, and canopies necessitates obtaining authorisations—a process that, in many cases, can be significantly time-consuming.
Within this framework, Hereijgers maintains: “Obtaining permits is a hurdle, along with grid connection and coordination with electricity operators.“
“At times, securing a grid connection point can take several months or even years, substantially increasing costs,” he emphasises.
In this regard, the CEO of Pluginvest highlights that the government could play a pivotal role by establishing clear guidelines and incentives to expedite these processes.
This is also crucial for compliance with the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR).
“We have heard rumours of new AFIR regulations that may come into effect in the coming months,” Hereijgers anticipates.
Against this backdrop, he advises the government to embrace this challenge and provide the necessary incentives to prevent the installation of charging stations from becoming excessively costly.
e-Credits are emerging as a key incentive to drive investment in refuelling infrastructure.
This system is part of the RED III Directive, which mandates Member States to establish mechanisms enabling economic operators supplying renewable electricity to electric vehicles to receive credits.
These credits can then be sold to fuel suppliers to assist them in meeting their obligations.
From a practical perspective, they enhance the return on investment for charging points and, consequently, facilitate the financing of new infrastructure.
This mechanism does not require public funding, making it a means of generating additional revenue through the sale of renewable energy certificates.
“It is a market purely driven by supply and demand, so the incentive and its long-term value are not entirely clear,” he explains.
Nevertheless, he affirms: “At present, it serves as a strong stimulus for investment in public charging infrastructure.“
A shift in electrification strategy?
Another point of discussion is the potential reintroduction of plug-in hybrid vehicles into the government’s strategy.
Pluginvest does not view this measure favourably.
“We are not particularly in favour of this approach, as it does not genuinely drive electrification,” states Hereijgers.
For the company, the priority should be the deployment of fully electric vehicles, given that technological advancements have progressed sufficiently to eliminate the need for interim solutions.
“We are awaiting further insight into the impact this strategic shift will have on electrification,” he remarks.
What will Pluginvest focus on in 2025?
In 2024, the company reached 10,000 installed and maintained charging points, and for this year, it aims to add another 5,000, with an increasing emphasis on direct current (DC) chargers.
In this way, it seeks to continue expanding, albeit in different segments and at a different pace.
“We are moving away from AC chargers, which we started with in 2016, and from our retail sector partners, and we are developing charging projects for eTrucks,” explains the CEO.
He adds: “We are installing several hundred DC fast chargers for this segment—an expanding activity and a business opportunity in the Belgian market.”
eMobility in Belgium continues to be primarily driven by corporate vehicles.
According to the CEO, between eight and nine out of every ten newly sold electric cars are company cars.
This sustains the demand for installations at offices and homes, yet the trend indicates a growing need for fast public chargers, with the retail sector increasingly investing in this segment.
“We do not directly make these investments, but we partner with these investors to support them in installation and maintenance,” he states.
In this context, he emphasises that there is currently a diverse array of players, including hardware manufacturers, charge point operators (CPOs), companies specialising in installation and maintenance, and technology providers.
“Each company fulfils a distinct role, with varied activities, and for the sector to succeed, close collaboration among all stakeholders is essential,” he concludes.
