A milestone for e-mobility

More power for electromobility. The eleven partner companies of the Austrian Federal Association for Electric Mobility (EBÖ) and Smatrics have taken a landmark step: They are integrating their charging station network to create Austria's largest and fastest charging network. Henceforth, 3,500 publicly accessible charging points will be available between Vienna and Bregenz. On the strength of this partnership, e-car drivers can now activate BEÖ or Smatrics charging stations using their respective charging card.

"This cooperation creates one of the densest networks of charging points for e-cars in Europe. Using only one card or app provided by one of the BEÖ member company, e-mobilists get to enjoy easy access with the certainty of always finding a charging point near them. And BEÖ is looking to expand its network further over the next few months by bringing on board a new partner," says BEÖ Chairwoman Ute Teufelberger.

"The cooperation between Smatrics and BEÖ makes charging even easier and more convenient across Austria. From now on, every Smatrics customer can use their card to enjoy full access to the charging stations operated by BEÖ members and vice-versa. For Smatrics , this is the logical next step in establishing electromobility as an alternative to fossil energy sources across Europe," says Smatrics Managing Director Michael-Viktor Fischer.

More power for e-cars

Effective immediately, customers only need one charging card or app to use any of the 3,500 public charging points operated by the participating BEÖ members and Smatrics . Costs are calculated based on the time the e-vehicle is connected with the charging point. Direct payments using a credit card are accepted as well. Information on the various tariffs models are provided on the websites and in the apps of the eleven BEÖ member companies and at Smatrics.

Federal Minister Elisabeth Köstinger: "Fully suitability for daily use": "Specifically in the transport sector, we need to ensure massive CO2 reductions and are therefore giving our all to amplify e-mobility," says Sustainability Minster Elisabeth Köstinger. Our Action Package for the Promotion of Electromobility from Renewable Energy provides a framework: The merging of Austria's largest network of charging points to one single lineup is the next big step on our way to ensuring full suitability of electromobility for daily use.“

Federal Minister Norbert Hofer: "Austria's pioneering role": "Austria is well on its way to becoming Europe's electromobile model country. The share of e-vehicles among new registrations is currently at three percent – that puts us ahead of Germany. This pioneering role has to be further expanded, as every zero-emission vehicle helps to protect the climate, environment and our health. "The e-car models currently available already have ranges of 400 kilometres and more. The ubiquitous supply with high-speed charging points is key for getting as many people as possible to switch to electromobility.

First-rate in terms of e-charging points

Overall, there are over 5,500 publicly accessible charging points in Austria and over 23,000 fully electric vehicles. In a European comparison, Austria ranks among the top 10 with 56 public charging points per 100,000 inhabitants. At 237 charging points per 100,000 inhabitants, Norway continues to lead the way (figures from EAFO, VCÖ 04/2019).

Since March 2017, the eleven leading energy companies have been operating the BEÖ charging network with some 3,000 public charging points using electricity from renewable energy sources. SMATRICS operates 450 charging points, of which around 250 are high-speed points that supply electricity generated entirely from hydropower.

The e-charging station finder e-tankstellen-finder.com indicates all charging stations in Austria and Europe, including all public charging points operated by energy companies, supermarkets and hotels.