(original post: https://www.gva.be/cnt/dmf20220216_96127570)
The first public charging stations for electric cars from TotalEnergies have been installed in Antwerp. Three in Ekeren, one in Deurne and one in Borgerhout. Alderman Koen Kennis (N-VA) was just not the first user of the charging station in the Veltwijcklaan in Ekeren. Local resident Peter Wils was ahead of him.
Pole follows car. “We place charging stations where there is a concrete demand,” says alderman Koen Kennis.
Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular. Since September, the city has concluded a concession agreement with TotalEnergies for the expansion of the public charging infrastructure. TotalEnergies will place all new electric (fast) chargers on urban territory for two years. Until 2034, they are also responsible for the technical and commercial operation of the network of public charging stations they have installed. All charging points supply green electricity from Belgian offshore wind energy. Geosparc sensors will be installed in the parking bays at the new charging stations, enabling the city to monitor occupancy in real time.
Geosparc sensors will be installed in the parking bays at the new charging stations, enabling the city to monitor occupancy in real time.
Geosparc sensors will be installed in the parking bays at the new charging stations, enabling the city to monitor occupancy in real time.
“Thanks to the agreement with TotalEnergies, we can respond quickly to the real need for charging infrastructure,” says Schepen Kennis. “We are currently working through the existing list of 600 requests, some of which we are bundling.” The ships adhere to the principle of ‘pole follows wagon’. “We place charging points where there is a concrete demand.” Under certain conditions, residents of Antwerp can submit an application for a charging station in their area.
The first five charging stations were installed at the beginning of February. In Ekeren there are three: in the Veltwijcklaan, the Kloosterstraat and the Paardenbloemlaan. One is in the Van Notenstraat in Deurne and one in the Berchemlei in Borgerhout. The first charging station was officially inaugurated in the Veltwijcklaan on Wednesday afternoon. There are currently 428 charging points in Antwerp, of which 156 are in the public domain, 207 in (neighborhood) car parks and 65 in park-and-rides.