The EU has been urged to set targets for each country for the deployment of EV charging points. Credit: ACEA.

The European Union (EU) has been urged by car manufacturers, environmentalists and consumer groups to set targets for each country for the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging points.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), Transport & Environment (T&E) and the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) have written a letter to the commissioners of the EU’s climate, transport, industry and energy departments.

In their letter, the groups asked the commissioners to make use of this year’s revision of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure law to direct EU nations to establish one million public charging points across the bloc by 2024, and three million by 2029.

The groups underlined the importance of setting targets as a way of providing much-needed certainty to the automotive industry, as well as to grid operators, re-charging infrastructure operators and transport companies.

In addition, the groups mentioned that their proposal would not only help the EU to meet its climate goals but will also create one million jobs across the continent.

The letter said that the targets should be allocated to each country based on factors such as how much private charging is available and the number of EVs on the road.

ACEA president and BMW CEO Oliver Zipse said: “European automakers are driving the transition to e-mobility and are literally outperforming each other in launching new electric vehicles. But the success of this huge effort is seriously threatened by the delayed installation of charging infrastructure in the EU.

“The EU Commission quickly needs to take action and set binding targets for the ramp-up of charging infrastructure in the member states. Otherwise, even the current reduction targets in fighting climate change are at risk. In addition to public charging infrastructure, we also need to put a stronger focus on workplace and home charging.”