The infrastructure of chargers for electric vehicles is making strong progress, but the overall picture is still shady. While the number of available points is increasing and the failure rate is decreasing, drivers are finding themselves with higher prices, scams on public roads and a significant number of established locations that are not yet operational.
In parallel, new networks are emerging in Spain and abroad, from agreements in supermarkets to the implementation of stations in international cities, while China accelerates as global reference By volume. This is the picture painted by the latest data, studies, and announcements in the sector.
The current map in Spain and the problem of "ghost" chargers
The number of installed but non-operational points remains high. According to recent estimates, 13.782 inactive locations, around the 22% of total of the public network. If they were to come into service, the country would add more than 61.000 magazines.
There are known reasons behind this traffic jam: slow administrative processing, waiting for power connection, interoperability and software problems, recurring breakdowns or issues of physical accessibility and signage.
- Bureaucracy: licenses, legalization, distributor registrations and verifications that can take from 10 months to several years.
- Network and connections: lack of punctual capacity or lead times prolonged in transformation centers and need for protection with spark gaps.
- Communications and OCPP: Modem, integration, or platform failures that leave equipment offline and problems with protocols such as protocols such as Modbus.
- Maintenance: response times, spare parts and vandalism which delay the return to service, in addition to the lack of protection components such as PTC fuses.
- Access: confusing parking hours, barriers or permits that prevent you from using an active spot.
- Outdated data: maps and apps with wrong information or duplicated.
To reduce the risk of reaching an inoperative point, the official recharging map shows real-time statuses (free, in use, reserved or out of service) and helps to plan with greater certainty.
User experience and prices: why satisfaction is falling
The latest analysis of public recharge user satisfaction reflects a striking trend: there are fewer incidents and more high-power chargers, and advances are observed in semiconductors such as GaN transistors that improve efficiency in power equipment, but drivers are less happy, especially with the cost and ease of payment.
In the fast charging segment, prices and charging management penalize the score. The contrast is greater on networks with dynamic policies or subscription models that are not always available to everyone. Even so, a reference manufacturer's network maintains the best levels reliability and experience thanks to its ecosystem of plug-and-charge.
For vehicles of other brands, friction persists: different apps by operator, registrations, validations, and changing payment methods. In Europe, the standardization of the connector CCS2 reduces physical incompatibilities, but the experience It depends on the design of each network and its prices.
Risks and safety in public recharging
A recent study in urban areas with rapid DC stations has measured concentrations of PM2.5 higher than those of gas stations and busy roads, with values ranging between 15 and 200 µg/m³ in certain locations.
Researchers point to the Fans of electrical cabinets as a possible source of the increase in resuspended particles (dust, brakes, and tires). They propose measures such as filtration specific and locate stations away from colleges and residential areas, given the absence of regulations governing these emissions.
Added to this is the proliferation of scams with codes Fake QR codes Adhered to the original sticker: the user scans, pays on a fraudulent website and neither charges nor recovers the amount. The general recommendation is to always operate from the official app from the operator and validate the URL before any payment.
Quick tips to avoid tripping
- Plan with redundant options and don't rush below 15–20% before the next point.
- Contrast apps: : Check the CPO in addition to the aggregator and review recent reviews.
- Check access and hours of the location (parking, barriers, rates).
- It supports several payment methods (app, RFID, bank card in HPC).
- Distrust stickers with discounts or QR codes superimposed; check the official domain.
- Report faults in the operator app to speed up the resolution.
- If a 150–300 kW post fails, try the other connector or reduces power if the app allows it.
International expansion: from China to Dubai
China already exceeds 16,7 million chargers operational and grows more than one 50% year-on-year, with a ratio of approximately two chargers for every five EVs in circulation. Between January and July alone, more were installed. 3,87 million of new units, most of them private.
The electricity consumption associated with recharging increased by more than 40% in the first seven months, and the market is highly concentrated: the top 15 operators manage more than 80% of public points. Added to this is the strategy of manufacturers, who deploy their own networks to loyalty its customers.
In the Middle East, Dubai is preparing a network that will be deployed 200 magazines in 12 months, with an initial phase of 20 stations in high-traffic areas. Integration with the municipal app will provide real-time status and payments within the platform itself, as well as “park and charge” policies to prevent undue blocking.
Initiatives in Spain: supermarkets and new networks
At the national level, the agreement to install stands out 238 ultra-fast chargers in 59 supermarkets in Asturias, Galicia and Castilla y León. It is expected to refill in the order of 100 km in a few minutes and complete sessions while shopping, with 100% certified renewable energy and high-efficiency DC-DC converters in the infrastructure.
The operation is supported by an alliance that already leads the ultrafast recharge in Spain and Portugal with more than 1.400 active locations. This type of everyday location recharge is coming to users and diversifies the network beyond corridors and large stations.
Practical tips for planning and paying without problems
Given the current situation, it's a good idea to prepare a "plan B" and a "plan C" for each trip. Keep several apps and cards lists, check access and rates in advance, and keep your usual operator's support phone number handy.
If you encounter a suspicious QR code or an unrecognizable website, cancel the payment, freeze the card if necessary and report the incident. Reporting breakdowns and using real-time status will save you travel and unnecessary waiting.
The network of chargers is advancing in quantity and quality, but still requires Improvements in procedures, prices and experienceBetween new deployments, health warnings and cybersecurity, traveling electric is becoming more viable if you plan wisely and choose reliable operators.
