In 9 October 2024, the AdC adopted the Study “Competition and electric vehicle recharging in Portugal”. The Study, in a preliminary version adopted in 17 January 2024, was subject to public consultation, between 19 January and 1 March 2024, within which the AdC received the ERSE's opinion and 183 contributions, sent, in particular, by consumers, by the electric mobility network managing entity (EGME), by charge point operators (OPCs), by electricity suppliers for electric vehicle recharging (CEMEs), by electricity sector entities and by public entities. The entities that submitted contributions cover a broad and diverse range of knowledge and experience and, as such, enriched the debate significantly and contributed to the identification of additional recommendations, as well as to a more detailed analysis. The main aspects of the Study are presented below.
The Study includes eight recommendations to the Government and one recommendation to the municipalities, which aim to address the barriers in the electric vehicle recharging sector identified. Those barriers can condition competition and, as such, are susceptible to jeopardise the development and expansion of an electric vehicle recharging network with adequate, efficient and competitive coverage, essential for the adoption of electric vehicles, which have been regarded as one of the key technologies for decarbonising the transport sector, the sector that contributes most to the greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. The following barriers identified should be highlighted: the barriers to entry in the installation and operation of charge points in motorways, difficulties in the experience of electric vehicle users as regards the payment and the comparability of prices and the complexity of the electric vehicle recharging organisational model.
In accordance with the recommendations included in the Study, the Government should: (1) promote the simplification of the payment method at the publicly accessible charge points; (2) promote the simplification of the electric vehicle recharging organisational model, integrating the role of the OPCs and the CEMEs; (3) assess the costs and benefits of selecting the EGME through a competitive, open, transparent and non-discriminatory mechanism; (4) impose the obligation that the EGME is independent of the CEMEs; (5) repeal the obligation that the CEMEs are OPCs; (6) repeal the possibility that the (sub)concession contracts for service areas or petrol stations are extended, without a public tender, to the installation and operation of charge points; (7) promote the award of rights to install and operate charge points in motorways through competitive, open, transparent and non-discriminatory mechanisms; and (8) allow that the CEMEs or the OPCs (depending on the electric vehicle recharging organisational model) contract electricity to any economic agent that sells it.
In accordance with the recommendations included in the Study, the municipalities should: (9) promote, in a timely manner, the regional development of the electric vehicle recharging network.