The Autorité in France conducted an inquiry on the competitive landscape of electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVCI) to support the country's transition to cleaner transport. The opinion provides recommendations for the French government, regulators, and industry players to enhance competition and consumer support in the EVCI sector.

The Autorité identified two levers to encourage the efficient deployment of EVCI: addressing regional disparities in deployment and ensuring more balanced geographical coverage. They also highlighted the need for greater pricing transparency in the EV charging market to help consumers make informed choices.

The Autorité recommended that charging operators (COs) and service providers (MSPs) should charge for charging on a per kWh basis, with additional per-minute charges for COs and any applicable fees for MSPs. They also suggested improving a public database to include real-time kWh prices and ancillary fees for better price comparison.

The Autorité advised Motorway Concession Operators (MCOs) to tailor contract terms based on investments and suggested compensating if EV charging investments are not recovered. Flexibility to choose a second operator at stations was also recommended to enhance competition.

The Autorité highlighted the importance of assessing geographical coverage needs for private terminals in EVCI development masterplans. They also emphasized the risks associated with long-term partnerships with exclusivity clauses between private players and COs that may hinder competition.