Government expects private sector will show interest in operating public charging stations

It is expected that the private sector will show interest in operating public charging stations for electric vehicles, the recently launched National Policy for Electric Vehicle Public Charging Infrastructure reads.

Government launched the policy on Monday.

During a press conference, the Regulator for Energy and Water Services (REWS) CEO Marjohn Abela explained how this new initiative will help result in fewer carbon emissions. Apart from that, the introduction of more public electric vehicle (EV) charging points ensures that the commitment toward a better environment is preserved, he said.

Engineer Abigail Cutajar, who is also an advisor to the Energy and Sustainable Development Ministry, said that following the introduction of grant schemes concerning electric cars, there were more than 10,000 batteryoperated electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles by August, as well as the introduction of electric alternatives for public transport and the government fleet.

She said that “a national target is to reach an increased amount of EVs by 2030” and to also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 19% by the same date.

Government is acting as a catalyst for this change, where it is also holding discussions with stakeholders.

For the project’s implementation, strategic mapping of selected locations for project deployment took place, together with the identification of market gaps both from a legislative, policy and project perspective.

Cutajar added that it is important for the private sector to also be involved in this near future transition.

As the need for charging infrastructure increases, the policy reads “it is expected that the private sector will show interest in operating public charging stations. This is something that government encourages and is in the interest of a competitive market.”

“While government intervention is necessary to mitigate the present market limitation, this is expected to act as a catalyst for private investment, which will develop business models to finance, install, operate and maintain charging infrastructure in public spaces,” the policy read.

The national policy being introduced will guide charging service providers as to how they can handle the current transition towards electric vehicles. Its scope is to standardise socket outlets, harmonise payment systems and ensure price transparency.

The scope of the regulations, which were also presented during the press conference, focuses on the charging of light vehicles.

It elaborated how the authorisation of a charging pillar operator will be valid for 12 years against a €500 fee, together with a fee of €75 per charging point every three years.

It also announced the launch of an assistance platform, which is an integrated platform being managed by Business First under Malta Enterprise. This new platform will facilitate communication between all involved stakeholders and assist users in ensuring that they are not restricted to charging pillars from one operator.

Looking to the near future, Cutajar said that this will ensure more green jobs together with supporting a more liberated market.

Present for the conference was also Energy Minister Miriam Dalli, who said that with the invitation to the private sector to tap in, this can lead to the creation of a new niche sector.

She said that currently 10% of the nation’s cars are either hybrid or fully electric “but there is still more to be done”.

Among the many advantages, this green initiative is bringing about different advantages such as better and greener communities, and better air quality, she said.

She added that courses are also being introduced to train mechanics for electric car maintenance certification.