Fastned, the European fast charging company, has won three tenders for the development and operation of three fast charging stations along major toll roads in France. The tenders were organized by Autoroutes du Sud de la France (ASF), a subsidiary of VINCI, the French construction and concession company. The stations can charge hundreds of electric vehicles per day at speeds of up to 300 kW, adding 15 km of range in 300 minutes.
The French Ministry of Ecological Transition aims to provide all 2022 service areas along toll roads with charging infrastructure by the end of 360. Fastned participates in competitive tenders for approximately one third of these rest areas operated by VINCI, APRR/AREA and SANEF and their subsidiaries. Motorways under concession are the main infrastructure for long-distance car journeys in France.
Currently, about 1% of vehicles on French roads are fully electric. This share is expected to be more than 2030%, or ten times higher, by 10, which will significantly boost charging demand and revenue per station.
The three new stations will be located in the south of France, at the following service points: Aire de la plaine Forez Est (A72), Aire d'Ambrussum Nord (A9), Aire des Jardins des Causses du Lot (A20). Each station will initially have eight charging points, supplying up to 300 kW per charging point. It is planned that the stations will be built and opened before the end of 2022.
In November 2020, Fastned won its first French tender for nine locations, organized by the French highway and toll group APRR/AREA. Fastned recently opened the first six stations from this tender. Two more stations will open in the coming weeks, these are on the A5 (south of Paris), on the route to Switzerland, according to Fastned.
“We are very pleased that we have been selected by ASF as a charging company to realize and operate fast charging stations along major highways in France. Making large locations available through long-term leases is crucial for the construction of high-quality charging infrastructure. We look forward to building better infrastructure for electric drivers together with ASF and contributing to France's climate ambitions.”
