Drivers using public chargers must share these spaces with other electric vehicle (EV) users and a growing complaint has been of chargers that are occupied well past the needed charge time. In some cases this overstay is for a few hours and often can be for several days at a time. Other EV drivers are then displaced or forced to charge in less opportune moments. In collaboration with local municipalities and following inquiries from concerned drivers, Allego aims to tackle the issue by implementing a connection fee.

Allego’s Managing Director of its Benelux region, Sander Sommer, says, “Accessibility is one of the pillars to Allego’s charging network and over-extended charger use impacts that promise Allego makes to its customers. We believe that every EV driver should be able to charge when they need to, without having to make compromises with their time, planning, or general quality of life. We hope this connection fee will encourage more drivers to use chargers with consideration for the next user and keep their cars connected for the time they need to charge, no less, no more.”
The EV market is rapidly growing and with more electric cars on the road, charging infrastructure is the cornerstone to meeting EV demand and adoption. With the current grid congestion in the Netherlands, the rollout of more chargers is forced to slow down, rather than speed up to accommodate more EVs, so the available chargers must be used prudently. It is, therefore, even more crucial to stop the practice of overstayed charge sessions and facilitate continuous access to chargers for all EV drivers.