Renault built 11,130 units of its Zoe mass-market electric vehicle last year, according to analyst Inovev, much fewer than the 50,000 originally forecast by the automaker. Despite the slow start, Beatrice Foucher, head of Renault’s electric vehicle program, remains bullish. She is confident that solutions are coming soon that will address the lack of public charging stations in Europe and the short range of EVs. She spoke with Automotive News Europe France Correspondent Bruce Gain.
Is the small number of public charging stations in Europe holding back electric vehicle sales?
Most potential customers can charge their vehicles at home or at work. Public charging stations are necessary to reassure customers that the possibility exists on an as-needed basis even if they only use them to charge their cars occasionally.
How far behind schedule is Europe’s rollout of public charging stations?
Some countries are adding the necessary infrastructure faster than others. Norway has the highest number of charging stations, but other countries must catch up.
How will this be funded?
Most countries in Europe plan to ramp up their public charging stations with the help of EU subsidies. Different European nations are also initiating partnerships in the private sector. European aid obviously plays a large role.