Change to the law helps Tesla, Ionity and… users

With the promised simplification and liberalization of the system, charging batteries in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) in Portugal is now as easy as filling up gasoline in combustion-engine cars. For the first time, the companies that invest in and build charging stations—duly certified for safety reasons, like any other electrical installation—can now operate as they see fit to attract more customers, providing real-time information on operating costs and offering more competitive prices. This is especially true given that a series of fees and entities, which previously intervened in the system (CEME, MOBI.E), have been eliminated, and a simpler payment system is in place, using an ATM card or a QR code.

Without the need to previously enter into a contract with an electricity supplier for electric mobility (CEME, a figure that disappears), in the same way that it was never necessary to have a contract with Galp or any other gas station to fill up the tank, the driver of a car equipped with a rechargeable battery simply has to find a free charging station, connect the cable and start charging, which will then be paid for using the usual electronic systems, knowing exactly the cost per kWh, as well as the exact value of the energy that has been stored.

This revolution in the payment system, resulting from the implementation of the European Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), aims to simplify and harmonize the way motorists store energy in their vehicle batteries across Europe. The change immediately benefits companies like Tesla , which, after being welcomed with open arms by MOBI.E in 2018 when it set up the first network of charging stations in our country with chargers providing power of 150 kW, found itself unable to open two more stations (already built and ready for operation) due to MOBI.E's imposition, which required the North American electric vehicle brand to become a CEME (a requirement it had not previously required) to be authorized to expand its charging network. The manufacturer preferred to see the two stations shut down rather than give in to requirements that do not exist in the other European markets where it operates. This change in the law put an end to this dispute , which has particularly harmed users of these types of vehicles.

Also benefiting from the new regulations for charging stations is Ionity , the European charging station network owned by German manufacturers (VW Group, BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche), joined by Hyundai/Kia and Ford, which recently turned to BlackRock to raise the capital they needed to expand the network. The first Ionity station opened in 2021, but Portuguese legislation at the time prevented Ionity from operating in our country in the same way it does in the rest of Europe—that is, with payments through its app . Therefore, it also had to "marry" with a CEME (Electronic Mechanism of Energy) that would allow it to charge for energy supplies. Finally, Ionity can operate within Portugal as it does in the rest of the EU, which will certainly please drivers of partner brands and also visiting tourists, who can cross the entire continent making payments with the same app .

In addition to the giants Tesla and Ionity, many other companies will now be able to use charging points as a sales pitch to please customers and attract them to their businesses. This is the case with Continente and Lidl, among others, as well as certain restaurants and other establishments that invested in installing charging stations on their premises, but which also had to find a "partner" to act as a CEME and bill the energy, preventing a supermarket, for example, from offering an hour of charging to customers with purchases over €50.

The users are the ones who benefit the most.

The simplified rules for electric vehicle charging will definitely make life easier for large (and small) entities that offer private charging networks for public service, but it's primarily the users of these types of vehicles who will feel the difference , not only in their wallets, paying less for the same energy, but also because they'll have access to a greater number of charging points. And it's worth noting that, due to AFIR, it's no longer possible to charge by the minute , but only by the kWh, something that will be welcomed by owners of electric cars that only charge with DC at reduced power (e.g., 50 kW) and, especially, owners of PHEVs, many of which charge at 3.6 kW, which requires them to be plugged in for more than three hours.

Regarding user benefits, it's worth noting that Tesla announced that, after the new rules come into effect, stations closed while awaiting authorization will reopen, and all of them will increase the number of charging points. At the Fátima station alone, the number of charging stations, which was initially only 12, now stands at 32, 14 of which are V2 (150 kW) and 18 V4 (250 kW), although technically they can reach 400 kW when vehicles capable of handling that power become available. At the same time, the price per kW, which was previously 56 cents, is now €0.41, and may drop to €0.16 to encourage charging during certain periods. At the same time, Tesla will open its charging stations to electric vehicles from other brands, significantly expanding the range of ultra-fast charging stations, at 250 kWh. Non-Tesla customers will purchase electricity using a different price list and, according to the Tesla Club of Portugal, slightly more expensive, but they should be able to pay the same price as Tesla customers if they subscribe to a monthly fee of around €10. Drivers simply need to download the brand's app and create an account, connect to the charger, and pay, knowing exactly how much is due. Ionity has also announced that it will strengthen its network, and increased competition will potentially lead to lower prices per kWh.