Prague Aims for Over 1,000 Electric Car Charging Lamp Posts in Three Years

The number of electric vehicles in Czechia is growing and according to official estimates, their number could reach 180,000 by 2030. Most of them will be in the capital city.

Prague has therefore decided to increase the number of charging stations available.

This year’s plan includes doubling this number, reaching over 1,000 by 2026 and 4,500 by 2030.

The ongoing transformation of lampposts into EVR masts with charging capabilities is progressing in residential areas such as Kobylisy, Bohnice, Dvorce, Vršovice, Vinohrady, and Velká Ohrada.

Charging stations on these EVR lamps can provide up to 2×22 kW of power. A pilot project in Vinohrady, Prague 2, saw the installation of 13 charging stations with 25 locations at the end of 2022, specifically in Moravská, Korunní, Chodská, Kladská, Slezská, and Slovenská streets.

The previous year saw a total of 55 EVR lamps introduced in Prague, not only in Vinohrady but also in Prosek, Vokovice, Kamýk, Háje, and Černý Most.

Jan Recman, Prague 2 Deputy Mayor for Environment, Construction, and Territorial Development, emphasized the city’s commitment to building a network for charging electric vehicles in collaboration with the Prague Energy Company.

Approximately CZK 219.1 million will be allocated by the Prague City Council this year, approved in January, for the reconstruction of public lighting, integrating technologies to facilitate future lamp modifications for electric vehicle charging.

In 2023, the city invested CZK 120 million, resulting in the construction of 1,026 poles and luminaires, with 239 being EVR lamps.

Prague to End Free Parking for Electric Cars and Portable Permits in December 2024

Free parking for electric cars and the use of portable parking permits in Prague’s free parking zones will cease starting December 31, 2024.

This adjustment is part of the planned revamp of the city’s parking system. Regular parking permits for residents and businesses will, however, remain unaffected at this time.

Deputy Mayor for Transport Zdeněk Hřib explained, “The electric car occupies the same space as a car with an internal combustion engine, and considering their expected increase, providing one-sided preferential treatment with free parking is not sustainable in the long term.”