The transport sector accounts for 60% of CO₂ emissions in Luxembourg. Faced with this major challenge, the development of electromobility is a key lever for achieving the decarbonization targets set by the government in the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (NECP). Among these targets, electrifying 49% of the vehicle fleet by 2030 is a priority.
Through two tendering procedures prepared and managed by Schwartz and Co and conducted in parallel in accordance with applicable legal provisions, the electricity distribution network operators (DNOs) Creos, Sudstroum, the City of Diekirch, and the City of Ettelbruck transferred ownership of the Chargy/Superchargy public charging infrastructure. The Luxembourg State awarded a seven-year concession for the management of this infrastructure to the temporary company charge@lux, comprised of Electris Luxembourg, Cube 4T8, and Socom.
Following a study conducted by Schwartz and Co for the Luxembourg government, within the framework of the model established in 2012 by the amended law of August 1, 2007, concerning the organization of the electricity market, the DSOs (Distribution System Operators) deployed and commissioned, starting in 2017, a public charging infrastructure covering the entire Luxembourg territory under the brands “Chargy” (accelerated charging stations) and “SuperChargy” (ultra-fast charging stations). The DSOs manage this infrastructure as CPOs (Charging Infrastructure Operators) through a model that allows charging services to be provided to electric vehicle users by charging service providers operating in a free and competitive market. Currently, 666 (more than 1,300 charging points) of the 710 “Chargy” stations and 82 of the 90 planned “SuperChargy” stations are operational. Thanks to this infrastructure, Luxembourg is now second in Europe in terms of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles with 34.5 charging points per 100 km (source: European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association).
However, in accordance with Directive (EU) 2019/944, distribution system operators (DSOs) can no longer own, develop, manage, or operate public charging stations, except in strictly defined circumstances. Therefore, the law transposing this directive stipulates that the management of the Chargy/SuperChargy public charging infrastructure as a contracting operator (CPO) will be entrusted to a single concessionaire. This concession will be transferred through an open transfer procedure conducted by the DSOs and subject to approval by the Luxembourg Institute for Regulation (IRR), and a concession contract award procedure conducted by the State.
For users, the concession will have no impact. The charging stations will continue to be accessible with the same identification and payment methods as before, and the conditions applicable to the concessionaire will ensure continuity in the quality of service provided.
See the press release from the Ministry of the Economy
Schwartz and Co, in brief
Schwartz and Co is an international strategy and management consulting firm providing highly specialized services in the energy, water, and transportation sectors. The firm has offices in Paris, Luxembourg (group headquarters), Lausanne, Brussels, and London, and operates throughout Europe and beyond. Since its founding in 2009, Schwartz and Co has completed over 600 consulting engagements for more than 100 clients in 11 countries and has produced numerous publications using its own funds.²