SOCAR receives concession for first-time construction of electric charging stations at motorway rest areas.
SOCAR receives concession for first-time construction of electric charging stations at motorway rest areas
SOCAR Energy Switzerland has been selected by the Swiss Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) as one of five concessions for the initial construction of 20 electric fast charging stations on Swiss motorway rest areas. SOCAR is the only classic petrol station operator to receive a licence. The company already operates seven rapid charging stations at its 11 service stations and runs the largest network on Swiss motorways. Over the next few years, this network can now be expanded step by step. SOCAR is continuing to drive forward its active role as a mobility provider and is making targeted investments in future mobility in addition to its fuel offering. Customers benefit from an increasingly close supply and planning security.
Only a few months ago, the federal government revised the law to make it legally possible to install electric charging stations on motorways under federal jurisdiction. A high-performance network of charging stations along the motorways is seen as an important factor in the acceptance and attractiveness of climate-friendly electric mobility in Switzerland. In response, the Federal Roads Office ( ASTRA ) has publicly tendered five authorisation packages for 20 rest areas each to enable private investors to build electric charging stations - in addition to rest areas - also at rest areas. Rest areas are currently only equipped with a toilet and, if necessary, a snack bar. As an experienced and convinced operator of charging stations, it was clear to SOCAR Energy Switzerland from the beginning to apply for one of the licence packages.
SOCAR is the only petrol station operator
SOCAR Energy Switzerland's application convinced the Astra. SOCAR receives one of the five highly requested licence packages for the construction of 20 fast charging stations at rest areas. The locations within the individual packages are distributed throughout Switzerland. Among the five companies that were awarded the contract, SOCAR is the only classic petrol station operator. SOCAR sees this as recognition for its long-standing commitment to Swiss electric mobility. The other four companies, each of which has a licence, are electricity suppliers or exclusive charging station operators.
Edgar Bachmann, CEO of SOCAR Energy Switzerland, is very pleased about the award of the Astra: "The development of rest areas will allow SOCAR to further expand its existing fast-charging network on the important main traffic routes. We are still at the beginning, but the increasingly dense network coverage will eventually help electromobility to make a breakthrough. We started investing in this future-oriented technology early on with conviction. At the same time, we are also open to all other new and promising technologies that support mobility. We see ourselves as a mobility provider, and with this attitude we are also developing our existing infrastructure and services.”
Electric charging stations with high service quality
In its application, SOCAR was able to demonstrate its extensive experience in the construction and maintenance of electric charging stations on motorways. In addition to technical know-how, mobility experience is just as crucial to the success of the development of the rest areas. SOCAR's proximity to its customers and the understanding of their needs help the company to achieve its goal. Just as it is no longer enough to simply offer fuel at a filling station, a quick charging station is not just about providing electricity. Customers must be offered a high quality service and extra value. SOCAR is developing its rest stops with this in mind, so that the needs of e-automobilists and other rest stop users can be taken into account.
The realisation of the new 20 rapid charging stations is currently planned in stages between 2019 and 2023. SOCAR will provide information about the individual projects over time.
Kontakt für Medien
SOCAR Energy Switzerland GmbH
Medienstelle
Telefon: +41 44 266 67 88
E-Mail: press@socarenergy.com