Summary
- CleanTechnica offers daily news updates via email or Google News
- The New Mobility Congress in Poland focused on EV industry in the CEE region
- The E-mobility Act in Poland excludes small towns from EV infrastructure development requirements
- Importance of differentiating between corridor, community, and site level charging infrastructure
- Proposed solutions include on-demand charging infrastructure, support from local businesses, and using supermarket parking lots for charging
Article
The New Mobility Congress, organized by the Polish New Mobility Association, provided valuable insights into the state of EV infrastructure development in small towns and rural areas. The E-mobility Act in Poland mandates certain obligations on local governments for installing charging points and incorporating zero-emission vehicles into their fleets, but this only applies to larger municipalities. This leaves out a majority of smaller towns, highlighting a gap in the current legislation that hinders e-mobility development.
The focus on corridor charging infrastructure, or travel charging infrastructure, in discussions at the congress raised concerns about the neglect of community-level and destination charging stations. By clearly defining the different types of charging infrastructure and emphasizing the importance of local and site level charging, stakeholders can better address the needs of residents and visitors. Community level charging serves a crucial role in supporting the growth of e-mobility within specific regions, and local governments should play a key role in facilitating this development.
Addressing the neglect of small towns, the author proposes practical solutions for implementing community and site level charging infrastructure in Namysłów. These include installing charging points on demand for residents, encouraging local businesses to provide charging infrastructure for employees, and utilizing supermarket parking lots for charging stations during off-peak hours. By distributing costs among various local players and taking a proactive approach, Namysłów aims to become an EV-friendly community that prioritizes the needs of EV users.
The author’s plan reflects a proactive approach that is often lacking in small towns when it comes to e-mobility infrastructure development. By taking the initiative and engaging with local businesses and residents, Namysłów demonstrates how smaller communities can support and encourage the adoption of EVs. The call to action extends to other small towns in Poland and beyond, urging local governments to take responsibility for e-mobility initiatives and address the gaps in existing legislation that exclude many municipalities from the EV infrastructure development mandate.
The emphasis on community and site level charging infrastructure highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to e-mobility development, focusing on the specific needs of local residents and visitors. By recognizing the importance of different types of charging infrastructure and advocating for more inclusive legislation that includes smaller towns, the author hopes to set an example for other municipalities to follow. The insights gained from the New Mobility Congress have inspired a new perspective on e-mobility development and the role of local governments in driving this crucial transition towards sustainable transportation.
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