EDF and the New Zealand infrastructure manager Morrison signed a strategic agreement this Thursday, February 29, that provides for the installation of nearly 8,000 ultra-fast charging stations by 2030 in France, almost double the existing fleet.
An investment of 450 million euros
The agreement, which involves an investment of up to 450 million euros, refers to charging points of more than 120 kW installed in public parking lots.
It should make it possible to almost double the number of ultra-fast charging solutions in mainland France, currently estimated at 9,602 charging points.
“This is the most ambitious ultra-fast charging development program currently in France,” Jean-Philippe Laurent, director of strategy and development of EDF’s customer services and territories division, told AFP.
“These terminals are aimed at two types of users: electric vehicle drivers who do not have terminals at home and people who need to recharge while traveling,” explains Pia Lambert, CEO of Morrison.
An investment supported by the EDF subsidiary
The joint venture created within the framework of this agreement by Morrison and EDF will invest in charging points in the parking lots of partners, such as restaurants, hotels or hypermarkets, who wish to offer these services without investing themselves.
These companies will rent the space for a period of 10 to 15 years, through tenders. The terminals will be operated by Izivia, a 100% subsidiary of EDF and French leader in charging on public roads.
They will allow motorists to recharge their vehicle while they go shopping or do some sports or leisure activity.
Depending on the type of vehicle and the ultra-fast terminal model, the charging time from 10 to 80% of a battery is generally estimated between 20 and 30 minutes.
The distribution of shares in the joint venture between EDF and Morrison is not reported.
The mobility orientation law requires shopping complexes and cinemas to pre-equip between 5% and 10% of parking spaces by January 2025, in order to accommodate charging stations.
More than 1.5 million electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles circulate on French roads, according to the national association for the development of electric mobility Avere. At the end of January 2024, there were more than 120,000 charging points open to the public, of which 17% for fast charging (more than 22 kW) and 8% for ultra-fast charging (more than 150 kW).
In 2030, electric vehicles should represent 15% of the private vehicle fleet in France, that is, 5.7 million vehicles sold in 2030, according to the General Secretariat for Ecological Planning.
Last November, Izivia announced the installation of 150 kW terminals in 700 parking lots of the fast food giant McDonald’s.
Source: BFM TV
