First Electric Car Charging Station in Estonia Up and Running

The nation's first fast-charging station for electric cars opened today in Tallinn's Ülemiste City technology park. Though the station is currently operating only in a test capacity, it will be one of about 20 such stations to open for business in July, according to a statement from KredEx, the state agency overseeing implementation of the nation-wide charging station network that the state is setting up this year.

Electric Car. Photo: delfi.eeThe network, funded by carbon credit sales revenue and developed by Zürich-based electrical engineering company ABB, will comprise 160 chargers at 140 stations around the country by the time of its completion in November, KredEx said.

Use of the charging points will be free until the end October. After that, customers who want to use the network will have to sign up for a service contract that will entail a monthly fee of about 10 euros in addition to 3 euros for each charge, said ABB representative Mart Tuuling.

As part of the government's plan to promote use of electric cars, the state has been offering generous subsidies to members of the public who take the plunge and buy them. So far, however, there have been far fewer takers than expected.

Even when the network is up and running, drivers will likely have to wait between 15 and 30 minutes for their batteries to be fully juiced up.

Estonian Public Broadcasting