With the number of electric vehicles now exceeding six million in Europe, the issue of recharging is beginning to emerge as a major industrial, economic and political challenge. In France, the growth in infrastructure is pitting ambitious private operators against a regulatory framework that is heavily structured by the public authorities. Between aggressive expansion strategies, unprecedented alliances and persistent economic weaknesses, the battle for recharging is far from over.
The dynamic could not be clearer: without a dense and reliable network of charging points, the transition to electric vehicles risks hitting a ceiling in terms of usage. By the end of 2024, there will be more than six million electric vehicles on the road in Europe, and France will be one of the fastest-growing markets. This acceleration puts direct pressure on recharging networks, which will have to scale up both in terms of the number of points available and the power delivered. In this context, ultra-fast infrastructures, capable of delivering more than 150 kW, are becoming a strategic lever. They will determine not only the acceptability of electric vehicles for long journeys, but also the credibility of public policies to move away from fossil fuels. The French market, long dominated by a cautious, highly regulated approach, is now attracting private players ready to invest on a massive scale.
Electra and Fastned, different models
Electra is establishing itself as one of the most aggressive players. The French operator has a clear objective: to deploy 2,200 stations and 15,000 high-power charging points by 2030. Its strategy is based on prioritising dense urban areas and major roads. In short, where demand is already strong and set to grow rapidly. The partnership with INDIGO illustrates this integrated approach. Between now and 2026, more than 225 fast charging points will be installed in car parks in Paris, Lyon, Nice and Bordeaux. The aim is to capture both everyday uses and transit charging needs. The 433 million euros in debt raised in 2025 marks a turning point: Electra is assuming a position of European leader, with an investment capacity rarely seen in the sector.
Faced with Electra, Fastned is defending a different model. At the end of 2024, the Dutch operator had 346 stations and more than 2,100 charging points in Europe, including 44 sites in France. Its strength lies in its expertise in motorway infrastructure, with recognisable, modern stations geared towards very high-power recharging. As you might expect, this strategy comes at a price. Fastned recorded a net loss of 36 million euros in 2024, a direct consequence of its sustained rate of expansion. However, the operational indicators are solid, with each station generating an average of €270,000 in annual sales and consuming around 440 MWh. The gamble of accepting short-term losses in order to lock in strategic locations seems to have been taken.
Tesla Supercharger, the intelligent evolution
Long seen as a separate ecosystem, the Tesla Supercharger network has evolved considerably. By the end of 2025, the American brand was operating more than 3,200 charging points in 240 stations in France. More importantly, almost 75% of these charging points are now open to all electric vehicles, marking a major strategic shift. This opening is accompanied by a technological renewal. More than fifty stations are now equipped with V4 charging stations, capable of delivering up to 325 kW. Tesla is primarily targeting the main roads, but is also strengthening its presence in urban areas and shopping centres. By opening up to competition, the Supercharger network is becoming a fully-fledged player in the French market, while retaining an advantage in terms of image and reliability.
Alliances, public framework and business model
Faced with the proliferation of networks and the complexity of use for drivers, a cooperative approach is emerging. In April 2025, Electra, Fastned, IONITY and Atlante announced the creation of the Spark Alliance. With no merger or capital integration, this alliance simply aims to unify access to 1,700 stations and more than 11,000 charging points in 25 European countries. The aim is to simplify the user experience through interoperable applications, unified payment and the deployment of plug & charge. This initiative is a direct response to the fragmentation of networks and the complexity of cross-border charging journeys. At the same time, public authorities continue to play a central role. ADEME supports the development of infrastructure through targeted calls for projects, in particular the IRVE programme, which will receive €10 million by 2024. The national objective remains ambitious, with a target of 400,000 public charging points by 2030.
Despite this, weaknesses persist. In France, the average rate of use remains low, at around 0.7 recharges per day and per point. This figure calls into question the economic viability of certain projects, particularly outside the main roads and metropolitan areas. Operators have to contend with high investment costs, connection constraints and uncertain short-term profitability. Abroad, Tesla and Fastned are suing Tank & Rast in Germany over restricted access to motorway service areas. In France, while conflicts with local authorities remain limited, the debates surrounding TURPE (Tarif d’Utilisation des Réseaux Publics d’Électricité), connection conditions and siting rules could, in time, generate similar friction between private players and public authorities.
Towards a new balance?
The battle over charging infrastructure in France is no longer simply a question of the number of charging points. It reveals a broader confrontation between industrial visions, public service rationale and economic imperatives. Private operators are stepping up the pace, innovating and forming alliances, while the State is trying to ensure consistency, territorial equity and accessibility (not without some difficulty). As the electric vehicle becomes the norm rather than the exception, recharging becomes a strategic pillar of mobility. The challenge now is to build an ecosystem that is sustainable, interoperable and economically viable. This is essential if electrification is not to remain just a promise, but to become a fully functional reality on French roads.
