The electric mobility market in Portugal presents significant opportunities, particularly in the context of an increasing demand for charging infrastructure.
However, understanding the regulatory framework is a crucial step for charge point operators (CPOs) seeking to enter the market.
In this regard, Marcus Torres, Country Manager of ChargeGuru, tells Mobility Portal Europe: “The first hurdle is understanding the legal regime of the country.”
He explains: “We have MOBI.E, which is our mandatory roaming platform.”
Whenever a charge point operator (CPO) wishes to install a charger that is connected and available to the public, it must be linked to MOBI.E.
In this way, users can charge at one CPO and, using the same RFID or mobile app, access a charger from another CPO.
This interoperability benefits end users, although it could also pose a challenge for foreign companies wishing to enter the Portuguese market.
“If a foreign CPO wants to do business in Portugal, they will need to understand this regulation, and the best way to do so is by having local support,” Torres asserts.
This support can come from other CPOs, as well as mobility service providers (MSPs) or legal advisors.
Where are the investment opportunities for CPOs?
The demand for chargers continues to exceed the supply in cities such as Lisbon and Porto, as well as on major highways.
In this context, Manuel Reis, Vice President of the Electric Vehicle Users Association (UVE), tells Mobility Portal Europe: “The chargers are always occupied, sometimes by one car, sometimes by two, depending on the location.”
Although the current regulation requires a proportional relationship between the number of chargers and the fleet of electric vehicles, growth is barely meeting the demand.
According to Reis, this situation represents an attractive investment opportunity for CPOs, particularly in urban areas and high-demand corridors.
However, he warns: “I would recommend that these investments wait for the new regulatory framework that is set to be published, as the government indicated that there will be significant changes in the market.”
As for remote areas, the situation is different.
There, the low density of electric vehicles makes it difficult to justify investments without government support.
For these cases, the Portuguese government launches public tenders aimed at fast-charging hubs in less developed areas and chargers in cities where users lack private garages.
And that’s not all.
Reis further notes that companies can invest in Portugal as EMSPs, connecting to the network.
This includes developing apps that already operate with chargers in other European countries and that can also integrate in Portugal.
“The major players are already present, although it is likely that others may join, and once connected to the Portuguese market, they will have access to all the chargers in the country,” he elaborates.
Additionally, the country has a technical framework that facilitates “refuelling” installations, giving it an edge over other countries in the region.
“The Portuguese technical rules code was practically copied from the French,” notes João Castro Pinheiro, CEO of INOV.EM, to Mobility Portal Europe.
In this regard, he highlights that the pre-installation process is simpler from a bureaucratic perspective, although the actual deployment and subsequent inspection, that is, the certification, are more stringent.
This alignment with France makes it easier for foreign operators to adapt to the Portuguese market.
How is the Portuguese eMobility market progressing?
According to MOBI.E, “2024 was the best year in history for electric mobility in Portugal.”
Compared to 2023, recharges increased by 65%, while the number of distinct users grew by 64%.
By the end of December, the operator’s network had more than 5,700 publicly accessible charging points, equating to over 10,700 chargers, representing an annual growth of over 36%.
More than 2,150 stations were fast or ultra-fast chargers (with power above 22 kW), accounting for 38% of the total network.
On average, there are 87 outlets for every 100 kilometres of road and 118 outlets for every 100,000 inhabitants.
As for registrations, 2024 saw a 14.7% increase in new electric passenger cars, with 41,757 units registered, compared to the same period in the previous year.
