As the number of electric vehicles (EVs) surges in Czechia, Prague anticipates accommodating 180,000 of them by 2030, with the majority concentrated in the capital. In response, Prague is ramping up its efforts to bolster the city’s charging infrastructure.

The city’s current initiative aims to double the number of charging stations, with projections reaching over 1,000 by 2026 and 4,500 by 2030. A pivotal aspect of this endeavor involves transforming lampposts into EV charging stations across residential areas like Kobylisy, Bohnice, Dvorce, Vršovice, Vinohrady, and Velká Ohrada.

These innovative EVR (Electric Vehicle Ready) lamps can deliver up to 2×22 kW of power. A pilot project in Prague 2’s Vinohrady district installed 13 charging stations across 25 locations at the close of 2022. Notably, similar installations have occurred in other neighborhoods like Prosek, Vokovice, Kamýk, Háje, and Černý Most, with a total of 55 EVR lamps introduced in the previous year.

Jan Recman, Prague 2’s Deputy Mayor for Environment, Construction, and Territorial Development, underscores the city’s collaboration with the Prague Energy Company to establish a robust EV charging network. Significant funding, amounting to CZK 219.1 million this year, has been allocated by the Prague City Council for public lighting reconstruction, which incorporates provisions for future EVR lamp modifications.

Moreover, Prague is set to end free parking privileges for electric cars and portable permits in free parking zones by December 31, 2024, as part of a broader overhaul of the city’s parking system. Zdeněk Hřib, Deputy Mayor for Transport, rationalizes this move, emphasizing the need to ensure equitable treatment among vehicles regardless of their propulsion system. While free parking perks for EVs will cease, regular parking permits for residents and businesses will remain unaffected for the time being.

Article by Prague Forum