The paradox of electric car charging

The electric vehicle charging infrastructure network in Spain has one thing in common with the cat in physicist Schrödinger's theory: it can be dead or very much alive at the same time. The conclusion depends greatly on the observer's point of view. The network of charging stations is growing at a rapid pace, according to experts, but the data is not convincing to the general public, who continue to believe it is insufficient, slow, and difficult to access.

The fastest chargers with 250 kW have the capacity to provide 300 kilometers of range in less than 15 minutes.

As of June 1, there were 46,684 publicly accessible charging points installed in Spain, according to data from Aedive, the association of electric mobility companies. This represents a 3% increase compared to December 2024. This represents approximately 10-12 electrified vehicles per charging point, taking into account the vehicle fleet at the end of 2024 (599,877 units according to Aedive) and registrations over the last five months. The association forecasts that 2025 will close with 55,000 points.

Given this simple fact, we could agree that the public access network (not including those installed in homes or businesses) is sufficient for the vehicle fleet, as experts assure. But regarding electric vehicles and the charging network, we must be a little more precise. Roughly speaking, the facilities could be divided into three categories: slow charging (under 22 kW of power and taking three hours or more to recharge); fast charging (between 50 and 150 kW, which give times between an hour and a half and 30 minutes); and ultra-fast charging, from 150 kW to more than 250 kW, which can provide 300 kilometers of range in less than 15 minutes, suitable for heavy-duty vehicles.

Catalonia leads the ranking of regions with the most charging locations for electric vehicles, with 10,703 points.

As highlighted by Anfac, the association of automobile manufacturers, in its Electromobility Barometer, 70% of public charging points are slow-charging. Although fast charging points are growing the most, with average annual growth rates close to 50%, by March 2025, only 4,000 charging points above 150 kW had been installed. Of these, 3,060 points are installed on intercity roads. Only 7% of publicly accessible intercity charging points have power above 250 kW, providing an experience very similar to a modern gas station.

Pablo Pirles, CEO of Iberdrola |bp pulse Spain, one of the leading fast-charging operators with 1,300 charging points already installed, mentions the “strong Spanish tradition” of long road trips, especially on vacation, and the “high influx of European car tourists.” “Fast charging on highways and motorways is essential to facilitate these trips. It allows users to travel without range anxiety,” one of the obstacles to electric cars. His company has just installed the largest charging hub in Spain, in Granada, and aims to reach 11,700 charging points by 2030.

However, fast charging, while important, isn't the only use case for electric vehicles. Long trips are occasional for the majority of drivers. As Laura Goncalves, general manager of Powerdot in Spain, explains, "charging at destination allows the car to charge without interrupting routine" or having to go out in search of an electric charging station. "At Powerdot, we operate charging stations that allow a vehicle to be charged in a time interval of between 20 and 45 minutes," she explains. A comprehensive network of charging stations in shopping centers, hotels, or restaurants would increase user safety.

There are other obstacles, such as the unification of payments, the multitude of applications for using the points, and the information about them, which do not facilitate usability. But even so, the main obstacle to installing points, all experts unanimously agree, is not "technological but bureaucratic," both due to administrative permits and the procedures to be completed with the electricity distributor, notes Aedive. ANFAC also calls for correct and extensive signage of points on roads, as is the case with gas stations. This information is supported by the Reve map of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition, a tool that identifies all available points in real time, along with their location, power, charging time, and other services.