Kris Peeters: EU neglects consumer rights on electric recharging points

Kris Peeters requests Dan Nica and Didier Reynders, future commissioners for Transport and Consumer Rights, to use as soon as possible a delegated act to oblige transparency regarding the price of charging an electric vehicle at recharging points.

Kris Peeters: "A clear price comparison for charging will benefit the consumer. Various existing European directives already oblige transparency concerning the total price. Nevertheless, in many countries, including Belgium, it is still difficult to predict how much charging at a recharging point will cost. For example, the average rate in Belgium is 0.31€/kwh, but charging can easily be up to 3 times more expensive. That is why the responsible Commissioners must enforce the existing directives and ensure a clear, visual price comparison. Charging points must indicate the different price components via an information screen (price per kWh, price per minute of charging, starting cost, 'charging station cost', etc.). Consumers also need to know, after plugging in the car, how much half an hour, hour or 2 hours of charging will cost. The popularity of electric cars is only increasing and the demand for public charging is increasing, so we can no longer ignore this problem.

European Union figures

In 2018, 15.2 million cars were registered in the European Union, representing 19% of worldwide registrations (78.7 million). Of these, 56.7% were petrol-powered, 35.9% diesel and 2.0% electric (2017: 1.5%, 2016: 1.1%, and 2015: 1.1%). By 2030, the percentage of electric cars will rise to 50%. Today, only 0.2% of the total EU passenger car fleet is electrically powered (2030: 26%).

In the first half of 2019, the EU market for new cars shifted further towards petrol vehicles. Petrol now accounts for almost 60% of all new car registrations, while demand for diesel continued to decline between January and June. Electric Rechargeable Vehicles (ECVs) accounted for 2.4% of total new car sales across the region, while all Alternative Powered Vehicles (APVs) together account for 8.9% of the EU market.

From January to June 2019, registrations of alternative propulsion passenger cars in the European Union grew strongly (+27.5%). 197,813 electric vehicles (battery, plug-in hybrids, hybrids) were registered, an increase of 37.8% compared to previous years (+27.5%). Sales of battery electric vehicles almost doubled (+90.9%).

Depending on policy, 125-230 million electric cars will be in circulation worldwide by 2030. The European automotive industry invests some € 57.4 billion a year in research and development (28% of total European R&D investment). By 2025, more than 350 different electrical models will be launched.

Charging infrastructure

Where currently 75% of the electric vehicles is charged at home, it will fall to 40% by 2030. Public charging (public car parks, supermarkets, underground car parks...) and charging on company premises will grow strongly.

Current situation

Different studies show that the price indication for charging electric is not transparent. It is very difficult for consumers to estimate how much the charging of their vehicle will cost. Without the use of a smartphone with a specific application, in most cases it is even impossible. However, it is possible to use the charging infrastructure without an application, e.g. with a badge. In addition, for some recharging points (depending on the provider) it is necessary to create a specific account before the charging station can be used. Interoperability between different providers is currently.

In the context of conventional filling stations, legislation exists on price indication. Such legislation does rarely exist for electrical charging infrastructure where there is a need to rely on general (consumer) law. However, Directive 2014/94 on the rollout of infrastructure for alternative fuels obliges Member States to:

Art. 4.9 All recharging points accessible to the public shall also provide for the possibility for electric vehicle users to recharge on an ad hoc basis without entering into a contract with the electricity supplier or operator concerned.

Art. 4.10 Member States shall ensure that prices charged by the operators of recharging points accessible to the public are reasonable, easily and clearly comparable, transparent and non-discriminatory.

Proposal

Recharging points must indicate the different price components via an information screen (price per kWh, price per minute of loading, starting cost, 'charging station cost', etc.). Also, after plugging in the car (system analyses how much battery needs to be charged at what speed), but before starting the charging process, an indication needs to be given of how much half an hour, hour, 2 hours of charging will cost (integrated price). This way, the consumer is informed and can start charging.

The charging station operators must also make the necessary information about their network available to the consumer: up-to-date information, quantity, possible payment systems, exact location, payload, real-time availability, closed/out-of-business, etc.

Directive 2014/94 imposes an obligation on the Member States to draw up the necessary legislation to tackle these problems concerning recharging points (transposition deadline 18 November 2016). It is clear that this has not led to the necessary results in several countries (e.g. Belgium and Austria).

As part of the proper functioning of the Internal Market and the correct transposition of a directive, we ask the Commission to investigate the implementation of the directive in the Member States and whether the intended objectives have been achieved. If this is not the case, we ask the Commission to take additional measures to safeguard the internal market, protect consumers and streamline the rollout of recharging points