Flanders has potential for 1096 smart charging hubs by 2030
A recent study realised by Fluvius and Bond Beter Leefmilieu (BBL) in collaboration with The New Drive has mapped the potential of smart charging hubs in Flanders. By 2030, Flanders could realise as many as 1,096 public charging hubs, accounting for 6,600 charging points. An important step to support the further rollout of charging infrastructure on public domain.
Smart charging hubs for a smooth rollout of electric mobility
The establishment of smart charging hubs, or charging plazas, plays a crucial role in the future of electric mobility. Smart charging hubs are central locations where two or more charging posts are offered through a single grid connection. This allows multiple electric vehicles to be charged simultaneously and by using 'smart charging', there is a potentially lower grid load.
These smart charging hubs play an important role in supporting electric driving, especially in urban and suburban areas where there is often no room to install a private charging station. They have several social benefits such as greater charging security for e-drivers and more efficient spatial implantation. In addition, charging hubs can also become meeting places with additional facilities for local residents. Share cars can also have a place here. In this way, charging hubs help bring about a smart change in how we move around in the future.
The study highlights that these charging hubs can offer a possible solution to reduce the load on the electricity grid by grouping several charging points on one grid connection and by focusing on smart charging, e.g. to reduce the evening peak.
"Through smart charging hubs, we can roll out public charging stations smarter, especially in urban and suburban areas. This helps to cope with the growth of electric cars and gives local authorities and grid operators the tools to adapt their infrastructure to the right grid capacity and thus make targeted investments in the context of the grids for tomorrow" says Guy Cosyns, director Customer Service and Data Management at Fluvius.
"The new Flemish Government is pulling the card of strategically placed smart charging squares, which is very positive. The new concession for public charging stations, which should be in place by spring 2025, offers an excellent opportunity to start working on this in concrete terms," says Naomi Cambien, mobility policy officer at Bond Beter Leefmilieu.
Benefits for citizens, local authorities and grid operators
Smart charging hubs offer several advantages:
- Citizens, especially in (sub)urban areas, get more charging security through smart charging hubs, which contributes to convenience. Residents without the option of installing a private charging station, thus get the chance to charge their cars easily.
- Local governments can better organise the spatial incorporation of charging infrastructure and thus create more support for it. The possibility to engage in other services such as shared mobility also contributes to this. The integration of individual public charging stations on public property in urban environments does not always seem evident. Charging hubs therefore deserve an important place in the policy for rolling out electric mobility in urban environments.
- Network operators can roll out the charging infrastructure more efficiently (1 smart charging hub versus multiple scattered charging stations). By focusing on smart charging, charging peaks in the evening can be shifted to the night. This allows peak loads to be spread out, which helps grid operators use available grid capacity efficiently.
A vision for the future: the coalition agreement as a framework.
The Flemish government has also included smart charging hubs in the coalition agreement for the period 2024-2029. The study confirms the strategic value of smart charging hubs as part of the future policy on sustainable mobility. The roll-out of smart charging hubs is perfectly in line with the objectives of the coalition agreement, and forms an important pillar for the electrification of the car fleet and the sustainability of our mobility.
Towards 2030: a future-proof charging network
With the rise of electric vehicles and the expansion of charging infrastructure, it is clear that smart charging hubs can provide a potential solution in the transition to sustainable mobility. This study provides a solid basis for the further development of charging infrastructure in Flanders and shows how smart charging hubs can contribute to a greener future. This track also allows grid operator Fluvius to make thoughtful choices when investing in tomorrow's networks.
Lara Lammens