Brussels (Brussel Morning Newspaper): Brussels has 41 EV charging points, adding 10 more soon. Sibelga aims for 800 by Feb 2025, down from 1,200 due to local pushback.
There are 41 charging points in Sint-Pieters-Woluwe, Brussels, and Uccle. Soon, 10 more will be added in Zandstraat and Waterlelielaan. These charging lanterns are like regular chargers but take up less space. A Sibelga spokesperson said this is a smart choice because they can install them while fixing street lights. It’s easy to use them for charging, and the lanterns will keep shining even after the work is done.
What challenges are Hindering EV charging expansion in Brussels?
Brussels is struggling to set up new electric vehicle charging points because of permit issues and local politics. Sibelga, the local grid operator of the city, had initially committed to installing 1,200 charging points before February 2025. After being pushed around by local authorities, the goal has been adjusted to 800. City leaders are taking away existing parking spaces for cars that are non-electric. It has been said that even the idea of using streetlights as charging points, called “charging lanterns,” is not a quick solution because they need extra poles and space, and getting permits becomes more difficult in crowded areas. While demand for EV charging grows, there is still much work to be done.
It is said that a car can park for free and charge while its owner goes away, but most drivers do not take their cars until their batteries are fully charged. Cars charge up within 2.5 hours but occupy spaces for about 6.5 hours. To address this issue, the city wants to bring a fee that increases depending on how long the car stays in the parking lot after it has been charged. This new system is expected to begin in 2025, although the date is still under discussion.
