Estonia Builds World’s First Nationwide Electric Vehicle Charging Network
What’s the Latest Development?
A national network consisting of 165 fast electric chargers is now open for use in Estonia, representing the world’s first complete electric infrastructure for hybrid and electric cars. Each Estonian town, as well as bigger villages now have their own fast chargers. “The stations installed along highways maintain a minimum distance of 40 to 60 km. EV users have three service packages to choose from, the cost of one charging is between 2.5 and 5 euros. However, you can also choose paying a 30 euro fee for a monthly package and charge your EV as often as you want with no extra cost.”
What’s the Big Idea?
In the past, encouraging people to use electric charging stations has been difficult because of the wait required. But Estonia’s stations allow drivers to charge their car batteries to 90% capacity in less than 30 minutes. “The construction of the fast-charging network was financed by using the funds received pursuant to a CO2 emission quota sales agreement entered into between the Republic of Estonia and Mitsubishi Corporation. … Estonia with its 165 fast chargers now has the world’s largest operational public fast-charging network providing a universal nationwide service.”
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