Traveling by electric car in Lithuania: is the charging infrastructure conducive to it?
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Publication date 27.08.2024
Traveling by Electric Car in Lithuania: Is the Charging Infrastructure Ready?
With the growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) in Lithuania, the availability of public charging stations is a crucial factor for both daily commutes and longer leisure trips.
While major cities have a relatively dense network of charging stations, the key question is whether the current infrastructure is reliable enough to enable comfortable travel across the country, including reaching remote towns, villages, and rural areas.
Status of EV Charging Infrastructure
In recent years, Lithuania has made significant progress in expanding its public EV charging infrastructure. Currently, there are over 600 public charging stations across the country – a substantial increase compared to previous years. These stations are located in city centers, along highways, and on key transit routes.
A notable example is the "Via Baltica" highway, which connects Lithuania with neighboring countries. This important route features numerous charging points, including several fast-charging stations strategically placed to ensure EV owners can conveniently recharge their vehicles. At first glance, charging stations seem accessible in many regions.
Unfortunately, a major drawback is the uneven distribution of these stations. While major cities like Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda have a significant number of chargers, making it easy and convenient for EV owners to recharge, rural areas and smaller towns often face limited access. This poses challenges for those who enjoy long-distance road trips or need to travel to less-populated regions.
Experts note that the lack of easily accessible and convenient charging stations deters many drivers from adopting EVs. Despite the rapid increase in EV ownership, Lithuania still falls short of its goal for EVs to constitute 20% of all light vehicles on the roads by 2030. As such, charging infrastructure remains a pressing issue.
Reliability of Public Charging Stations
The number and density of charging stations are crucial, but the quality of Lithuania's infrastructure also depends on other factors, such as station reliability and charging speed.
Data shows that most public charging stations in Lithuania operate reliably. However, some users report issues with non-functional stations and long wait times during peak hours, particularly in busy locations.
Another critical factor is charging speed, especially for long-distance travel. Fast charging stations are not just convenient but essential for minimizing downtime on the road.
In recent years, Lithuania has made strides in deploying this technology. Currently, there are over 200 fast-charging stations nationwide. These stations offer impressive capabilities, allowing EV batteries to charge up to 80% in just 30-40 minutes, making them suitable for long trips. Unfortunately, fast chargers remain scarce in less populated areas, which can be a barrier for long-distance travel.
Plans for Tenfold Expansion of Charging Stations
It’s clear that the expansion of standard and fast-charging stations is a significant step forward. However, the uneven distribution of stations and the lack of infrastructure in rural areas remain serious challenges.
Looking ahead, positive changes are expected. The government’s national strategy includes plans to install additional charging stations, particularly in underserved rural regions and less-trafficked roads.
According to data from Lithuania’s Ministry of Transport:
- By 2030, Lithuania plans to install 60,000 EV charging points, of which 6,000 will be public or semi-public stations.
- Approximately 200 new public charging stations are expected to be installed along state highways by next year, with 1,000 stations planned by 2030.
- Existing stations will also be upgraded to support faster charging and improve convenience for long-distance travelers.
Once these goals are realized, the reliability and accessibility of the public charging network should meet the growing needs of EV owners. Until then, careful planning for longer trips and having a map of EV charging stations on hand is essential.
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