An independent body, the Autorité de la Concurrence has decided to take an internal action to examine the dynamics of competition and the practices implemented in the infrastructure sector for charging stations for electric vehicles.
With the ban on the sale of new thermal vehicles in 2035 in the European Union, there is a good chance that the future of the automobile will be mainly electrified. But for the deployment of this electromobility to take place, the development and sustainability of a network of charging infrastructures are essential conditions. sine qua non of this growth.
In this context, and in accordance with the provisions of Article L. 462-4 of the Commercial Code, the Competition Authority has decided to take up the issues of this market on its own initiative in order to analyze the charging infrastructures for electric vehicles (IRVE).
“In addition to their massive deployment, the IRVEs must display a high level of quality and availability in order to offer users of electric vehicles an experience as close as possible to that experienced with internal combustion vehicles, in particular on long distance journeys, and to thus supporting the development of electromobility and the transformation of the French vehicle fleet.” Can we read in the press release.
The purpose of this analysis is to identify the obstacles to the development of these IRVEs, to examine the competitive dynamics exerted on the different segments of the value chain as well as the interactions between actors and their contractual relations. The competition authority declares that it will focus particularly on the case of motorway charging stations, on public infrastructures and in collective housing.
A first opinion, accompanied by recommendations, is expected in the first half of 2024.